The three-day Arudrotsava Kalyanotsavams began on Friday at the Sri Shiva Kamakshi Sundari Sametha Nataraja Swamy temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
The three-day Arudrotsava Kalyanotsavams began with religious fervor at the Sri Shiva Kamakshi Sundari Sametha Nataraja Swamy Temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Friday (January 2, 2026). The annual festival will continue till January 4 under the patronage of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam.
The celebrations started in the morning with Mangala Snanam and the ceremonial decoration of Sri Nataraja Swamy and Sri Shiva Kamakshi Sundari Devi as the divine bride and groom.
As part of the festival schedule, Ankurarpana, Agni Pratishthapana, Dhwajarohana and Baliharana were held on Friday evening. There will be Maha Kalyanam, homams and Arudrotsava Abhishekam on Saturday followed by Annabhishekam late at night. On Sundays, devotees can witness Uttara Dwara Darshanam in the early hours of the morning, Purnahuti rituals and the grand Nagarotsavam in the evening.
Temple authorities said Arudrotsavam has special significance as Nataraja temples are rare in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.
Special pujas were performed in the presence of VK Executive Director Seena Nayak, members of the donor family of Nataraja Swamy Temple, including Leela Nageswari and her family. Lingambola head priest Durga Prasad, assistant priest Kota Prasad and other temple priests participated in the rituals.
The temple authorities invited devotees to participate in large numbers and seek divine blessings during the sacred festivities. Temple authorities said that inspired by divine will, donors initiated the construction of the Nataraja Swamy temple on the Indrakeeladri peak in 1954.
The temple houses beautifully carved idols of Sri Vighneswara Swamy, Sri Nataraja Swamy, Sri Shiva Kamakshi Sundari Devi, Nandiswara and Chandiswara, carved from Chandrashila stone, on the lines of the famous Chidambaram temple. Natya Mandapam and Kalyana Mandapam were also built as part of the temple complex.
Published – 02 Jan 2026 20:34 IST
