HYDERABAD: Endowments Commissioner P. Sundar Kumar has said that a record 20 lakh laddus were sold during Sivaratri celebrations at Srisailam on Monday.
Talking to this correspondent on the sidelines of a function to mark the laying of foundation stone for archakas building at Barkatpura here on Wednesday, Mr. Sundara Kumar said the Srisailam temple authorities could not meet the demand of pilgrims for more laddus even after supplying them four pieces a head at Rs. 5 a piece.
The shortfall was on account of the unexpected turnout of pilgrims which was double that of last year.
Telangana Archaka Samakhya president B. Rama Sarma attributed the heavy turnout of pilgrims not only at Srisailam but also at other major Siva temples at Srikalahasti, Keesara, Amaravathi, Vemulawada and Kanakadurga shrine at Vijayawada to Sivaratri coinciding with a Monday, considered auspicious for assuming as well as discontinuing the ritual of fast to participate in Sivaratri celebrations.
Mr. Sundar Kumar also said half of the pilgrims who visited Srisailam had to take shelter under shamianas or in open air for lack of accommodation.
Though the crowds milled near the sanctorum at ‘lingobhavam’, there was no stampede like in the past.
