Thousands of devotees performed poojas in Shiva temples across the state to mark the last Monday of the auspicious Karteeka Masam.
Pilgrims visited Mallikarjuna Swamy at the Srisailam temple, Vayulingeswara Swamy at Srikalahasti, Sri Ramalingeswara Temple at Amaravathi in Guntur, Rudreswara Swamy Temple in Warangal and Sri Rajarajeswari Temple at Vemulawada from the wee hours of Monday.
Monday is considered the favourite day of Lord Shiva, and it is believed that praying on this day entitles devotees to Kailasam.
Lakhs of devotees, after having a holy dip in the Patala Ganga River in Srisailam, joined the serpentine queues to have a darshan of the diety. The presiding deities are Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy, who is one of the 12 Jyothirlingas, and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi, who is one of the 18 Mahasakthis.
Chandi Yagam, Kumkumarchana and Rudrabhisekam to the presiding deities were performed on the occasion.
According to the Srisailam temple's executive officer Venkata Swamy, over 2 lakh devotees visited the temple on Monday. During evening, women light Karthika deepas, and couples perform Satyanarayana Vratham. (INN)