Religious fervour marks Sivaratri in Telangana State

Hyderabad: One of the famous festivals in Telangana – Maha Sivaratri – has gripped devotees with religious fervour with people observing fast and offering prayers. Hundreds of devotees lined up in serpentine queues at Siva temples since early hours for darshan of "Vishwanatha" and performed abhisekhams, kalyanams and special pujas.

All the Siva temples reverberated with the chanting of "Aum Namah Shivayah". A sea of devotees converged at the famous Vemulavada temple in old Karimnagar district and performed special pujas. State Endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy presented 'Pattu Vastrams' to the God and performed special puja.

Devotees in large numbers also thronged Rudreshwara temple, popularly known as Thousand Pillar temple in Hanamkonda. Special arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of darshan by the devotees at all important Siva temples, including the one in Khammam, Suryapet, Nirmal, Mancherial, Nalgonda and Jayashankar Bhupalapalli districts.

Similarly, there was heavy pilgrim rush at Sri Kaleshwara Muktheeshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Kaleshwaram of Mahadevpur mandal along the banks of River Godavari adjoining Chhattisgarh State in the district. People were seen taking holy dip in the river before offering prayers.

Telangana ministers, legislators and top officials visited the temples and offered prayers. Women and Child Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod offered prayers at Kuravi Veerabhadra Swami temple in Mahbubabad.

In Hyderabad, devotees in large numbers reached the famous Ramalingeshwara temple atop Keesaragutta and offered prayers.

Devotees were seen offering milk and honey and chanting 'Om Namah Siva" at the time of puja inside the temple which was packed since early morning.

Labour Minister Ch Malla Reddy, TRS MP J Santhosh Kumar and Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar performed special puja at a temple in Hyderabad. Brahmakumaris also organised special celebrations at various places across the city.

The TSRTC operated special buses to various parts of the state so that devotees could visit the temples of their choice. In city there was even delay in supply of milk in many parts due to high demand for milk as well as shortage of trucks carrying milk.