Lord Shiva temples decked up for Maha Sivaratri

Hyderabad: Arrangements have been in place at Lord Shiva temples all over the State in view of the Maha Sivaratri celebrations on Sunday. Srisailam (Kurnool): Several lakhs of devotees from all over country from time immemorial have preferred to have a darshan of Lord Shiva at Srisailam in connection with Maha Sivaratri. The ancient temple of Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swamy and his consort Bhramarambika finds a significant place in the history. Kings like Srikrishna Deva Rayalu, Harihara Rayalu and others extended their services to this temple way back in fourteenth century. Meanwhile, Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swami was taken out on Gaja Vahanam on Saturday. On behalf of the government, Minister for Law and Justice Yerasu Pratap Reddy presented 'silk robes' to the presiding deity.

Guntur: Several thousands of devotees have already thronged the Kotappakonda in connection with Maha Sivaratri. RTC is operating special buses from Chilakaluripet, Narasaraopet, Vinukonda and other areas. Special arrangements have been made for the pilgrims at Amareswara Swami temple at Amaravati in Guntur district. East Godavari and West Godavari: Famous pilgrimage centres at Bhimavaram, Palakole, Patti Seema, Draksharamam, Samarlakota, Kotipalli Pithapuram were decked to receive the lakhs of pilgrims from various parts of the State. APSRTC has arranged a number of bus services to transport the pilgrims to these centres. Chittoor: Officials has made necessary arrangements for the convenience of the pilgrims who visit Srikalahastiswara Swami temple in the district. The pilgrims would be provided with drinking water and butter milk.

Warangal: Hanumakonda, Warangal district collector Rahul Bojja inaugurated Maha Sivaratri celebrations at thousand pillars temple at Hanumakonda on Saturday. District SP Venkateswara Rao was also present. Karimnagar: Necessary arrangements have been made at Vemulavada for the convenience of the pilgrims, the officials said. Medak: Sri Ketaki Sangameswara Swami temple at Jhara Sangam mandal in Medak district has been geared up for the devotees in connection with the Maha Sivaratri. Officials made all arrangements and security has been beefed up. Devotees from Maharashtra and Karnataka would also visit apart from Andhra Pradesh, officials said. Devotees believe that the health would be improved if they take bath in Amruta Tirdham on the premises of the temple. Temple executive officer Mohan Reddy said that the drinking water facility and free food would be arranged for the devotees.

Bala Saibaba : Mahasivaratri would be celebrated at Sri Balasai Mandiram at Kurnool, according to the Trust organizer Ramesh Babu. Throughout the day a number of devotional programmes like Harikatha by Bhagavatarini Jayanti Saraswati, Maya Bazaar drama by Surabhi troop and Burra katha by Gorrela Ramu and Krishna would be organized and at 12 'o clock midnight, Bhagavan Sri BalaSaibaba would perform 'Atma Lingodbhava' programme.