The 11th meeting of the Srisailam Devasthanam Trust Board was convened on Wednesday, chaired by Pothugunta Ramesh Naidu and attended by executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao, board members and a slate of special invitees.
According to the board’s press release, members deliberated on 20 agenda items, giving the green light to 18 proposals while deferring two for further consideration.
Chairman Naidu announced that the upcoming Dasara Mahotsavams will feature elaborate arrangements starting Oct. 11, with priority given to pilgrim facilities, daily live streaming of the events, and a Gramotsavam showcasing traditional art forms.
The board also resolved to perform a ‘Sahasra Chandi Sahita Maha Rudra Homam’ for ‘Loka Kalyanam’ during this year’s Dasara, expanding on the previously held ‘Sata Chandi Homam’.
A major financial decision approved ₹3.20 crore for the development of the board’s adopted Kolanu Bharati (Saraswati) temple. Of this sum, ₹3.13 crore is earmarked for permanent works such as completing the mandapa, installing the Dwaja Pratishtha, Kalasa Sthapana, an entrance arch, permanent queue lines, toilets, a borewell and lighting, while ₹7 lakh will fund temporary works.
Additional approvals include free use of toilets and bathhouses for devotees, a ₹10 lakh allocation for repairs to the Nandiswara dormitory, procurement of illumination equipment for Dasara through e‑procurement tenders, the takeover of an IOCL petrol bunk by the Devasthanam effective Dec. 10, and the integration of all CCTV cameras with artificial‑intelligence‑based crowd and vehicle management systems.
These measures aim to enhance the pilgrim experience, improve safety and infrastructure, and promote cultural heritage during one of the region’s most significant festivals.