Traditional Shakambari Utsavam held at Kolanubharathi shrine

Kolanubharathi shrine celebrates Shakambari Utsavam with vibrant produce, sacred rituals and prayers for timely rains, prosperity and public wellbeing.

Asian Media Network | Published on: Aug 8, 2026, 12:12 AM

The Kolanubharathi shrine, an adopted temple of Srisailam Devasthanam, observed the traditional Shakambari Utsavam on Friday.

As part of the celebrations, Sri Saraswathi Devi was beautifully adorned with a vibrant array of vegetables, leafy greens and fruits, followed by special ceremonial rituals. More than 300kg of fresh produce was brought in for the unique decoration, including gourds, beans, brinjals, cabbage, yam, colocasia, cucumber, capsicum and a variety of greens, along with bananas, oranges, pomegranates, grapes and pineapple. Priests began the proceedings with a sankalpam seeking timely rainfall, good harvests, prosperity and the wellbeing of people, while praying for protection from excessive or inadequate rains.

Mahaganapati Puja was then performed, followed by Shodashopachara Puja to the deity in her Shakambari form. Temple governing board members Chittibotla Bharadwaj Sharma and P.U. Shivamma, along with officials, attended the celebrations.