On Kanuma, the villages of Konaseema carry their tall, colourful prabhas – representing the eleven Rudras – across paddy fields and canals to Jaggannathathota near Mosalapalli, where, by tradition, the Ekadasa Rudras meet. The centuries-old Prabhala Theertham has been declared a State festival of Andhra Pradesh.
Festival Dates
Introduction
The Prabhala Theertham at Jaggannathathota (Jagganna Thota), a coconut grove near Mosalapalli in Ambajipeta mandal, Konaseema, is one of the most beloved festivals of the Godavari delta. It is held every year on Kanuma, the day after Makara Sankranti. On this day, the people of eleven villages with temples of the Ekadasa Rudras – the eleven forms of Lord Shiva – carry their prabhas to the grove in procession. There is no temple and no idol at Jaggannathathota: the prabhas themselves bring the Lord. The festival, kept for about four centuries, was declared a State festival by the Government of Andhra Pradesh before Sankranti 2026.
Significance and Legend
According to local tradition, the eleven Rudras gather at Jaggannathathota on Kanuma for a divine assembly for the welfare of the world (loka kalyanam), with Vyaghreswara Swamy of Vyaghreswaram presiding as the chief, and the prabha of Mosalapalli acting as the host. The prabhas are honoured as the forms of the Ekadasa Rudras themselves, and devotees come to see the Rudras together and to fulfil their vows.
How it is Celebrated
- The prabhas: each prabha is a tall, gopuram-shaped frame of teak planks, logs and bamboo, covered with new cloth, flowers and decorations, carrying the image of the Lord.
- The journey: carried on the shoulders of devotees from each village, the prabhas cross green paddy fields and wade through the canals of the delta – a sight that draws thousands of people to the banks.
- The assembly: the prabhas gather in the grove, where devotees offer worship and fulfil their vows before the prabhas return to their villages.
- Sankranti in Konaseema: the festival crowns the Sankranti celebrations of the region, with colourful muggulu before every home.
Rituals and Puja
- Worship of the Lord in each prabha before it leaves its village, with drums and music.
- Darshan of the eleven prabhas together at Jaggannathathota.
- Fulfilment of vows (mokkulu) made to the Rudras.
Foods and Offerings
- Coconuts, fruits and flowers offered to the prabhas.
- The Sankranti dishes of the season, shared in every home.
Temples Known for this Festival
The prabhas come from the eleven Ekadasa Rudra temples of the area, led by the prabha of Sri Vyaghreswara Swamy of Vyaghreswaram, and gather at Jaggannathathota near Mosalapalli.
The Prabhala Theertham date is shown in the festival dates above. It is held every year on Kanuma, the day after Makara Sankranti.