Endowments Minister Gade Venkat Reddy on Monday started the 6-day Chandi Sahita Maha Rudra Yagam at the newly-constructed Mallikarjuna mandapam in Sri Durga Malleswara Swamivarla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri, by offering puja to Lord Ganesha.
Talking to media persons after performing the puja, Venkat Reddy said that the yagam was aimed at propitiating Lord Shiva to bestow peace and prosperity on people of the state.
"The 'yagam' would fulfil all desires, remove negativity and give all-round happiness in life," he added.
The Endowments Minister said the devasthanam was performing the yagam after a break of 25 years.
Temple Executive Officer N Vijay Kumar, along with priests, gave a traditional welcome to the minister.
The executive officer said that noted scholars would deliver sermons and give discourses from Vedic scripts and religious texts every day.
On the final day of the 'yagam', Purnahuti would be performed and 'Annadanam' would be organised for about 10,000 people.