Arasavalli pilgrims disappointed

Srikakulam: Hordes of devotees thronged the Arasavalli Lord Suryanarayana Swamy temple in the district on Sunday on Maha Sivaratri. Pilgrims had come from far off places to see the first rays of the sun touching the deity's feet at Aruna Sila. But they were disappointed, as the rays first fell on the flag-post (dhwajasthambam). However, authorities said the pilgrims could not view the rare occurrence as they crowded round the area. There is usually a huge rush at the temple to view the sun rays touch the deity's feet at this time of the year. It is believed that seeing the rays would cure eye diseases of the visitors. Thousands of devotees from Andhra and Odisha had queued up outside the temple since Saturday night for a 'darshan' of the rays. They broke barricades and rushed to the flag-post, thus missing the rays that touch the Lord's feet. The devotees blamed the temple's security personnel for failing to control the crowd.

Devotees visit famous Siva shrines Meanwhile, devotees thronged two famous Siva shrines in the district---Sri Mukhalingeshwara at Srimukhalingam and Endala Mallanna at Ravivalasa, near Tekkali---on the occasion of Maha Sivarathri. Devotees believe that a 'darshan' of the Siva 'lingam' and performing 'abhishekam' after the midnight of Sunday is auspicious.