The calendar year in Palasa-Kasibugga is punctuated by dazzling celebrations tied to the major Hindu deities (Vishnu/Rama/Venkateswara and Shiva), providing distinct and memorable spiritual experiences for devotees.
Karthika Masam (The Month of Lights)
- Deity Focus: Lord Shiva (Visweswara) and Lord Vishnu.
- Visual Appeal: This entire month is visually spectacular, as devotees observe Karthika Deepam (lighting of sacred lamps). Every temple, especially the Kasi Visweswara Temple, is adorned with thousands of clay or brass oil lamps, creating a breathtaking, luminous glow that symbolizes the dispelling of darkness.
- Rituals: Women observe ritual fasting and perform Akaasa Deepotsavam (lighting a lamp high up, symbolizing an offering to the heavens). Special abhishekams are performed for the Shiva Lingam, and the town is filled with the chanting of mantras and hymns.
- Highlight: Every Monday in Karthika Masam sees a huge rush at Shiva temples.
Sri Rama Navami (The Celestial Wedding)
- Deity Focus: Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
- Visual Appeal: This festival is a burst of color and tradition, centered around the Sita Rama Kalyanam (celestial wedding) at the local Ramalayam temples.
- Rituals: The processional deities (Utsava Murti) of Lord Rama and Sita are lavishly dressed in silk garments and jewelry. The ritual culminates with the exchange of Mutyala Talambralu (a shower of pearls and rice grains), celebrated with joyous music and the solemn chanting of priests, simulating a royal wedding watched by hundreds of ecstatic devotees.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi (The Gate to Heaven)
- Deity Focus: Lord Venkateswara/Lord Ranganatha (Vishnu).
- Visual Appeal: This festival symbolizes a spiritual pilgrimage. The most significant visual feature is the specially constructed Vaikuntha Dwaram (Northern Gate), which is ornately decorated with flowers and lighting.
- Significance: Devotees form massive queues in the early morning hours to walk through this symbolic gate, which is believed to open the path to Vaikuntha (Lord Vishnu’s heavenly abode) for those who pass through on this auspicious day. This is a day of intense spiritual discipline and fasting.