Srisailam temple executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao has announced that the tickets for ‘Sparsha Darshan’, ‘Sheeghra Darshan’, ‘Ati-Sheeghra Darshan’ and ‘Arjita Sevas’ for the month of September will be released on Tuesday (August 25).

To facilitate easy access for devotees, 90% of the tickets are being made available through the State government’s ‘Mana Mitra’ WhatsApp service. The remaining 10% of tickets can be obtained via the APTS website (www.tms.ap.gov.in).

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said tickets for ‘Paroksha Sevas’ (proxy services) can also be obtained through ‘Mana Mitra’ service and online platforms. The temple management is conducting these services to enable devotees who cannot visit Srisailam in person to have specific rituals performed on their behalf using their ‘gotra’ and names. 

He said the government has introduced a ‘WhatsApp Governance’ system designed to deliver citizen services efficiently, swiftly, and transparently allowing them to access services related to various government departments. To facilitate the easy delivery of these services, the government has made the ‘Mana Mitra’ WhatsApp number (9552300009) available to the public. 

Mr. Srinivasa Rao added that there is usually heavy influx of devotees on weekends, public holidays, Mondays, and other festival days. Devotees unable to secure tickets in advance for these days may obtain them for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays, when availability is better. 

For the convenience of devotees, the Devasthanam has established ‘Manamitra’ WhatsApp help centers at various locations. Additionally, ‘Sarva Darshan’ (free darshan) will continue as usual every day starting at 4.30 a.m.

The Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple management has decided to plant 5,000 saplings in Srisailam during this monsoon season as part of environmental conservation measures.

A plantation drive was conducted on Saturday near the Zilla Parishad High School in Srisailam, which saw the participation Board of Trustees chairman Pothugunta Ramesh Naidu, executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao, board members, and special invitees.

Speaking on the occasion, the chairman said that the mass plantation drive was undertaken as part of the environmental conservation efforts. He mentioned that saplings would be planted on both sides of the ring road and that they were planning to plant saplings extensively in open areas and gardens maintained by the temple. Protective tree guards will be installed for the saplings wherever necessary, he said.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that special care would be taken to ensure the protection and maintenance of the planted saplings. He said that ornamental plants would be planted in the gardens, while trees providing shade would be planted in open areas.

Members of the Board of Trustees participating in the event suggested planting ‘Devatha Vrukshas’ (sacred trees associated with deities) at suitable locations to enhance the spiritual ambiance of the holy site. They recommended that 30 to 40% of the planted saplings should be of these sacred varieties.

The planting drive commenced with Ganapathi puja, followed by Vruksha puja (worship of trees) and the planting of saplings. Species such as Kadamba, White Arjun (Tella Maddi), Badam (Indian Almond), Bauhinia, Tabebuia rosea, and Spathodea were planted.

Temple chief priest and ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees H. Veeraiah Swamy, public relations officer T. Srinivasa Rao, and various staff members participated.