Kotappakonda Temple, situated on a sacred hill in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh, India, is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. The temple is famous for its Thirunallu festival, which is the biggest of its kind in the world. Kotappakonda Tirunallu festival 2025 date is February 26.
Kotappakonda Thirunalu is a state festival of Andhra
Pradesh.
Annually, a grand festival known as Thirunallu is celebrated at this temple, making it one of the largest Tirunallas in India. The festivities occur on Mahashivaratri day, drawing thousands of participants from across the Telugu states. During the festival's nighttime hours, cultural activities are also organized around the beautifully crafted prabhas, which are triangular arrangements constructed from long tree sticks. These prabhas are sourced from various villages near Kotappakonda and serve as the festival's main attraction.
Vibrantly hued rectangular fabric structures, known as
"Prabhalu," arrive from diverse villages, serving as a captivating
highlight of the festival. The annual construction of a Prabha, ranging from 80
to 100 feet in height, incurs an expenditure of approximately 15 to 20 lakh
rupees. The festival sees enthusiastic participation from 30 to 40 villages in
the Chilakaluripet and Narasaraopet divisions, preserving a cherished tradition
that has endured for a century.
People believe that they will receive prosperity and
harmony, if they carry a Prabha from their village during the darshan of Shiva
at Kotappakonda Temple on Shivratri day.