Mahashivaratri celebrations in the two Telugu States began on a grand scale today.
Siva temples across the State were beautifully decorated and were packed with devotees on the occasion. Rudra abhishekams were performed in almost all the temples to worship the Lord.
Devotees flocked in especially large numbers to the Srisailam, Srikalahasti, Vemulawada and Keesara temples since the early hours. The Mahasivaratri Brahmotsavams are being celebrated in Srisailam, and a Swamivari Kalyanam was also held on the occasion. Devotees were allowed to enter the Srikalahasti temple from Thursday midnight itself. And it took five hours for the darshan of the Lord at the famous Rajanna temple in Vemulavada.
In the combined Nalgonda district, devotees flocked the ancient Chhaya and Pachala Someshwara temples. The Suryapet Pillaimarri and Mella Cheruvu Swayambhu Sambhu Lingeswara Swamy temples witnessed huge crowds too. Devotees also offered prayers at the Cheruvugattu Parvatijadala Ramalingeswara Swamy and Vadapalli Agastheswara Swamy temples.
In Warangal district, the 1000-pillar temple in Hanumakonda, Mettugutta in Kazipet's Madikonda, the Bhadrakali temple in Warangal and the Kasi Visvesvaraya temple in Kasibugga were crowded with devotees, with many of them performing special pujas and abhishekams. Arrangements were made for spiritual and cultural performances in some temples, and facilities were put in place to ensure that devotees did not face any difficulties.