On the eve of tomorrow's Maha Shivaratri festival, Srisailam is bustling with pilgrims. The town gets a festive look with the huge presence of Shiva Swamis, who have thronged to have the darshan of Lord Shiva. The town is reverberated with chanting of 'Om Namasivayah'. Pathal Ganga, Hathakeswaram, Kailasa Kona, Sakshi Ganapathi, Mallamma Kanneru, Bath Ghats and community centres are all dotted with the presence of Shiva Swamulu. Simultaneously, 11-day Brahmotsavams are being held at the temple.

Maha Shivaratri also marks the culmination of 41-day Shiva Deeksha for Shiva swamis.

Srisailam is a major shivaite pilgrimage centre in the state. The devotees are blissful with the quick darshan of almighty due to change in the temple timings.Among the 12 prominent abodes of Lord Shiva (Dwadasha Jyothirlingas), Srisailam is the reverred Shiva Shakti Kshetram which is also known as the Astadasha Shakti Peetham.

Lingodbhavam (emergence of Linga), Pagalankarana (adorning of head gear) and Kalyanotsavam (celestival wedding) form part of Shivaratri festival.

There is a popular belief among the devotees that fasting coupled with jagaran (giving up sleep) will attain them salvation.