Hyderabad, February 15 – A large number of devotees flocked to Shiva temples across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday as Maha Shivaratri celebrations began in both Telugu states on a grand scale.
Devotees made their way to Shiva temples in both states before dawn. The temples were filled with devotional hymns and mantras as special rituals were performed.
Devotees performed 'Rudrabhishekha' and participated in the special puja. They also took holy dips in rivers and ponds.
Long queues of devotees were seen at major temples to offer prayers and seek divine blessings.
A large number of devotees paid their respects at the Vemulawada Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple in the Rajanna Sircilla district of Telangana.
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 in the Siddipet district since early in the morning. A procession was also organized on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri celebrations were also held at the Keesara temple in Medchal Malkajgiri.
Spiritual fervor was palpable at Shivaite shrines in Khammam, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Sangareddy, Adilabad, and Warngal.
In Andhra Pradesh, the largest celebration took place at the Srisailam temple in Kurnool district. Thousands of devotees had lined up at the hilltop shrine since early Sunday morning.
Devotees waited in long queues for darshan at the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple.
All departments at the temple had made elaborate arrangements. Senior officials were monitoring the situation from the command control center through CCTV cameras.
Maha Shivaratri celebrations were also held with gaiety at Srikalahasti, which houses one of the famous Shiva temples in the country.
The Bhimeswara Swamy temple at Samalkot, Draksharamam, and Kotappakonda temples were also witnessing large-scale celebrations.
Special pujas were held at the Amaralingeshwara Swamy temple in Amaravati, Durga Nageshwaraswamy in Krishna district, and other Shiva temples across Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart S. Abdul Nazeer, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu, greeted the people on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
In his message, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy prayed to Lord Shiva to bless Telangana with prosperity and to grant the people happiness, peace, long life, and good health. He expressed his hope that Lord Shiva's divine blessings would remain with all devotees who are observing Maha Shivaratri fasting and performing special prayers with deep devotion.
Chandrababu Naidu stated in his message that Andhra Pradesh is the sacred land where the holy 'Jyotirlanga' of Srisailam is enshrined. He prayed that Lord Shiva bless the state and its people with prosperity.
"Maha Shivaratri festival is celebrated by millions of devotees across the world with great devotion, as it provides an opportunity for spiritual awakening. The festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, as devotees worship Lord Shiva by lighting lamps, observing fasts, and chanting prayers. May this auspicious occasion inspire noble thoughts of love, affection, amity, and brotherhood in all of us," Governor Abdul Nazeer said in his message.