The three-day Arudrotsava Kalyanotsavams started with great religious zeal at the Sri Shiva Kamakshi Sundari Sametha Nataraja Swamy Temple on Indrakeeladri, Vijayawada, on Friday, January 2, 2026. The annual festival will run till January 4 under the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam. The day began with Mangala Snanam and the ceremonial decoration of Sri Nataraja Swamy and Sri Shiva Kamakshi Sundari Devi as bride and groom. On Friday evening, rituals like Ankurarpana, Agni Pratishthapana, Dhwajarohana, and Baliharana took place. Saturday will see Maha Kalyanam, several homams, and the Arudrotsava Abhishekam, followed by Annabhishekam late at night. On Sunday, devotees can attend early Uttara Dwara Darshanam, Purnahuti rituals, and a grand Nagarotsavam in the evening. Executive Officer V.K. Seena Nayak, donor family members like Leela Nageswari and her family, Chief Priest Lingambotla Durga Prasad, Assistant Priest Kota Prasad, and other temple priests took part in the special pujas. Temple authorities highlighted the special importance of the Arudrotsavam since Nataraja temples are rare in the old united Andhra Pradesh. They invited devotees to join the festival and receive divine blessings. The Nataraja Swamy temple atop Indrakeeladri was built by donors inspired by divine will in 1954. It houses beautifully carved idols of Sri Vighneswara Swamy, Sri Nataraja Swamy, Sri Shiva Kamakshi Sundari Devi, Nandiswara, and Chandiswara made from Chandrashila stone. The design follows the famous Chidambaram temple style. The temple complex also includes a Natya Mandapam and a Kalyana Mandapam, adding to its grandeur.