A large number of devotees thronged Shiva temples across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday as Maha Shivaratri celebrations commenced in both Telugu states on a grand note.
Devotees made a beeline to Shiva temples in both states before dawn. Temples resonated with devotional hymns and mantras as special rituals were performed. Devotees offered Rudrabhishekha and participated in special pujas. Many also took holy dips in rivers and ponds.
Long queues were seen at major temples as devotees offered prayers and sought divine blessings. A large number of devotees paid obeisance at the Vemulawada Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and MLA Aadi Srinivas offered silk clothes to the deity on behalf of the state government.
Devotees lined up at the Komuravelli Mallanna Temple from the early hours of the day. A procession was also taken out on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri celebrations were also held at the Keesaragutta Temple. Spiritual fervour prevailed at Shaivite shrines in Khammam, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Sangareddy, Adilabad and Warangal districts.
In Andhra Pradesh, the biggest celebrations were held at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Kurnool district. Thousands of devotees lined up at the hill shrine from early Sunday. Elaborate arrangements were made by all departments at the temple, and senior officials monitored the situation from the command control centre through CCTV cameras.
Maha Shivaratri celebrations were also held with gaiety at the Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple, one of the most famous Shiva temples in the country. The Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, the Draksharamam Temple and the Kotappakonda Temple also witnessed large-scale celebrations. Special pujas were held at the Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple and the Durga Nageswara Swamy Temple, along with other Shiva temples across the state.
Jishnu Dev Varma, S. Abdul Nazeer, A. Revanth Reddy and N. Chandrababu Naidu greeted the people on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
In his message, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy prayed to Lord Shiva to bless Telangana with prosperity and grant the people happiness, peace, long life and good health. He expressed hope that Lord Shiva’s divine blessings would remain with all devotees observing the Maha Shivaratri fast and performing special prayers with deep devotion.
N. Chandrababu Naidu stated that Andhra Pradesh is the sacred land where the holy Jyotirlinga of Srisailam is enshrined. He prayed that Lord Shiva bless the state and its people with prosperity.
Governor S. Abdul Nazeer said that Maha Shivaratri is celebrated by millions of devotees across the world with great devotion as it offers an opportunity for spiritual awakening. He said the festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, as devotees worship Lord Shiva by lighting lamps, observing fasts and chanting prayers. He expressed hope that the auspicious occasion would inspire noble thoughts of love, affection, amity and brotherhood among all.
-IANS
