Thiruvananthapuram, February 15 Devotees flocked to Shiva temples across Kerala, in both cities and villages, on Sunday for Maha Shivaratri, with major shrines experiencing a massive influx from early morning.
Extensive arrangements were made at prominent temples to manage the crowds.
Long queues were seen from early morning at temples such as the Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temple, Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple, Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple, Aluva Mahadeva Temple, and Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, as devotees gathered for special prayers and rituals.
Major shrines such as the Ettumanoor Shri Mahadeva Temple, the Ernakulathappan Temple, and the Taliparamba Rajarajeswara Temple also saw a large number of devotees participating in special pujas.
Several devotees performed the 'samooha ponkala' (collective ritual offering) at the Chenkal temple on the occasion.
At Aluva, a large number of devotees gathered on the banks of the Periyar river from early morning to perform 'balitharppanam', the ritual offering to ancestors, which is considered significant on Shivaratri.
Although 'balitharppanam' officially begins at midnight according to tradition, devotees were seen gathering on the banks of the Periyar since morning.
Temporary platforms were erected along the riverbanks, and additional priests were engaged to ensure the smooth conduct of the rituals.
A variety of 'bali tharas' (makeshift platforms) were set up, and facilities such as drinking water and bio-toilets were arranged for devotees performing the rituals, authorities said.
Hundreds of police personnel were deployed at the shrine premises to ensure safety.
Temple authorities and devaswom boards made extensive arrangements, including crowd management systems, additional counters for offerings, and enhanced lighting, to facilitate smooth darshan.
Police were also deployed in and around major shrines to regulate traffic and maintain order.
In keeping with tradition, many devotees observed day-long fasts and planned to remain awake through the night, participating in bhajans and cultural programmes organized on temple premises.
Thousands of devotees, regardless of age and gender, were expected to participate in the midnight rituals at various shrines.
Maha Shivaratri is an important Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva.
It is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first half of the lunar month of Phagun.
The festival is associated with various cosmological legends and narratives that reflect the diverse beliefs related to the sacred night.
