Arrangements in place for Maha Sivaratri in East Godavari district

Kakinada: All Siva temples in the district including Pancharama Kshetrasare are decorated and equipped with all amenities for the convenience of devotees visiting to celebrate Maha Shivaratri on Thursday. Already devotees started reaching the temples that are located in Pancharama Kshetras like Draksharama and Somolkot in the district.

The devotees will take a holy dip in River Godavari and visit various Siva temples in East Godavari district in Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram, Kotipalli, Annavaram, Muramalla and other places on the occasion.

The devotees release pot lamps in the rivers and float them on the waters while offering prayers to the gods. Pancharam temples like Draksharama Sri Bhimeswara Swamy, Kumara Rama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Samalkot, Pithapuram(Padagaya), Sri Kukketeswara Swamy Temple, Kotipalli Sri Someswara Swamy Temple, Sri Uma Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Markandeya Swamy Temple, Rajamahendravaram and others will be filled with devotees arriving there to offer prayers on the auspicious occasion. The devotees will later took holy bath at Pukshara Ghat, Kotilingala Ghat, Markendeya Ghat, Visweswara Ghat, Saraswathi Ghat in Rajamahendravaram, Annavaram Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, Kakinada, Sri Balatriupura Sundari Devi Temple and Jaganaick Pur Sivalayam as well as at Draskharama. Visitors in large numbers will also lit lamps on the occasion.

The temple authorities have made all arrangements to help devotees to take of darshan of the gods and goddesses without any inconveniences. The temples are illuminated and special queue systems were along arranged for the convenience of the devotees.

The famous Pancharama Keshtram, Kumara Rama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Executive Officer P Narayna Murthy said that special sanitation staff is deployed at the Koneruon temple. He said that over 80,000 devotees are likely to visit the temple for the darshan of the Lord on MahaSivaratri. He said that they didn't issue VIP darshan tickets. Endowments Deputy Commissioner M Vijaya Raju told 'The Hans India' that he directed the officials to make necessary arrangements in Lord Siva temples for smooth conduct of Maha Shivaratri on Thursday. He instructed the officials to follow the Covid-19 guidelines strictly in all temples on Maha Shivaratri. He appealed to the devotees to compulsorily wear masks, maintain physical distance and use of sanitizers. RTC will run special buses for Pancharama Kshetras in the district.