VIJAYAWADA: Devotees in large numbers thronged the temples in NTR and Krishna districts to celebrate Maha Shivaratri, a prominent festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. The atmosphere in the temples echoed with sacred chants of Om Namah Shiva, Harom Hara and Hara Hara Mahadeva – Sambho Sankara, amid special pujas and abhishekams.Right from the early morning, many devotees took holy baths at various ghats along the Krishna River, including Durga, Bhavani, Punnami and Seetanagaram ghats, and the Pavitra Sangamam in Vijayawada. Maha Shivaratri celebrations ruled the roost in Vedadri and Muktyala within the NTR district.After their sacred dips in the Krishna River, devotees proceeded to nearby Shiva temples, carrying the river water for performing the abhishekam to Lord Shiva.People performed special pujas to cows at several gaushalas. A multitude of devotees had the darshan of Malleswara Swamy at the Kanakadurga Temple on Indrakeeladri, at the historic Shivalayam in I-Town and the Shiva temples at Christurajupuram and Mutyalampadu in Vijayawada city.Authorities at the Sri Durga Mallesewara Swamy Temple organised the Shiva-Parvati Kalyanam at the Maha Mandapam. Temple executive officer K. Ramachandra Mohan and a representative of the Markandeya Trust from Mangalagiri presented sacred robes for the Shiva-Parvati Kalyanam.Devotees celebrated the Maha Shivaratri with great enthusiasm at the Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple in Yanamalakuduru located in the Krishna district. Numerous public representatives visited the temple and participated in special poojas.Prabhala Mahotsavam at the Yanamalakuduru Shiva Temple turned a highlight of the celebrations. A total of 10 processions from the surrounding villages arrived at the temple to commemorate the Lingodbhava event.Maha Shivaratri dominated the scenario at the temples in Thotlavalluru, Pedana, Krithivennu, Challapalli and Nagayalanka in Krishna district. Temple authorities organised a special pooja at the Sri Kasi Visweswara Swamy Temple at Nunna near Vijayawada, with 10,000 Rudrakshas adorning the Shiva Lingam that were subsequently distributed to students.Temple chief priest Dr. Mamillapalli Phani Kumar and Power Grid senior general manager K. Naga Mohana Rao were present.
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