The Mahasivarathri Utsavams are being celebrated as Brahmothsavams in the month of Magham (the 11th month of Indian Lunar Calendar) which falls usually in the month of February/March. This is a festival of seven days with Panchahnika Deeksha. The Mahasivarathri day (29th day of Magham) is the most important day of the festival. The important events of the celebrations are Ankurarpana, Dhwajarohana, Vahana Sevas to God and Goddess, Lingodhbhavakala Maharudrabhishekam to God, Pagalankarana, Kalyanothsavam, Radhothsavam and Dhwajavarohana.
The Brahmothsavams begins with Ankurarpana a religious ritual on the occasion of festival followed by the Dhwajarohana in which Dhwaja Patam (a white flag) marked with Nandi symbol is hoisted on the Dhwajasthambha of the temple. It is said that the Dhwajarohana is the significant event of the starting of Brahmothsavams for inviting all Gods (Devathalu).
The Vahana Sevas are another important event of the celebrations in which the procession of the God and Goddess will took place on various vahanas (devine vehicles) like Seshavahanam, Mayuravahanam, Nandivahanam and Aswavahanam.
On the Mahasivarathri day at midnight during Lingodbhavakalam (the scared time in which God Siva manifests in the form of huge flaming Linga) Abhishekam will be performed to God Mallikarjuna Swamy in a religious manner.
The Pagalankarana is a unique custom finds only in Srisailam temple and is the most significant event of the festival. In this a person belongs to weavers community (Devanga) tie a lengthy new white cloth called as Paga (Turban) starting from the Sikhara of the Swayvari Vimana Gopuram passing around the Nandi idols placed on the Mukhamandapam of the temple. The interesting feature of this event is that the Devanga will decorate the Paga with naked body in total darkness and all the lights at that time are put off in the temple.
The cloth used in the Pagalankarana is hand woven by weavers throughout the year. Nearly 30 Pagas are offered by various weavers individually as a vow and all the Pagas will be decorated simultaneously by a single weaver.
After Pagalankarana Kalyanothsavam i.e., the marriage of God Mallikarjuna Swamy with Goddess Bhramaramba Devi will be performed.
The Radhothsavam (Car festival) will be commenced in an effective manner on the next day of Mahasivaratri at the evening hours. More than One Lakh of pilgrim public will participate in the Car festival.
The celebration ends with the Dhwajavarohana in which the Dhwaja Patakam (flag) is removed from the Dhwajasthambham.
Nearly 5 Lakhs pilgrims are visited the temple during the Brahmotsavams. During above utsavam days there is no sparsa (touching) darsanam and Argitha Sevas.
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