Devotees in Telugu states celebrated Mahashivratri by visiting Shiva temples and offering prayers. The temples echoed with chants of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ as devotees gathered early in the morning to seek blessings from the deity.
Popular temples like Srisailam, Kotappakonda in Andhra Pradesh, and Sri Rajarajeshwara temple in Vemulawada saw a large influx of devotees. In Srisailam, devotees took part in the Mahashivratri Brahmotsavams, performing special rituals like Nandi Vahana Seva and bathing in Pathala Ganga.
Devotees at Kotappakonda temple in Palnadu and Pancharama Kshetra in Amaravati also celebrated Mahashivratri with prayers and special poojas. The unique confluence of Mahashivratri and Shanitrayodashi was highlighted at Pancharama Kshetra, believed to cleanse sins when worshipped in sequence.
At the Vemulawada Rajarajeshwara temple in Telangana, devotees flocked to offer prayers on Mahashivratri. Officials ensured arrangements for a three-day fair to enhance the devotees’ experience during the festivities.
In Keesaragutta, the Brahmotsavams will continue until March 11, 2024. The temple has set up separate queues for devotees, including two Dharmadarshan queues and a VIP queue. Temple chairman Tatakam Nagalinga Sharma mentioned that fresh water and buttermilk packets will be distributed to devotees waiting in queues.
