Srisailam got spruced up for Sivaratri Brahmotsavam festival with the district administration moving with all its paraphernalia to the Nallamala hills.
Special provisions for pilgrims have been created this year inside and outside the Bhramarambha Mallikarjuna Swami Devasthanam.
District Collector C. Sudharsan Reddy reached the temple to supervise the arrangements for the biggest festival where four lakh pilgrims are expected to congregate on the Sivaratri day.
Mr. Reddy pilgrim amenities were created to meet 20 per cent extra rush this year. Three queue lines were created and provision was made for one more line in case of unexpected rush.
Unlike in the past, more circulating area was created inside the temple by demolishing the old building which could accommodate 15,000 pilgrims inside the temple complex.
The Devasthanam officials planned to prepare 30 lakh laddus for the event. Five lakh laddus were sold by now and 12 lakh more laddus are ready. The APSRTC infused 1,475 buses to commute pilgrims from different parts of the State.
The police deployed 2,500 personnel and installed 150 surveillance cameras to monitor the movement of pilgrims and keep an eye on anti-social elements.
In all, medical camps were set up at 12 places and 28 medical officers were drafted for the work.
Sanitation was being attended by 875 personnel. The Sivaratri festivity would precede by night-long rituals on Thursday. After kalyanotsavam, all four gates in different directions would be open to clear the pilgrims.
Temple Executive Officer Chandrasekhar Azad met the Collector and appraised the arrangements.
