Devotee rush at Siva temples

Kakinada: All Siva temples in East Godavari district reverberated with the chanting of 'Hara, Hara Mahadev' on Maha Sivaratri.A Hordes of devotees thronged Draksharama Bheemeshwaralayam, known as 'Dakshina Kasi', Chalukya Kumararama Bheemeshwaralayam at Samarlakota, also called Yogalingam, among the Pancharamams, Pitapuram Kukuteshwaralayam, one of the Ashtadasha Shaktipeetams, Kotipalli Chaya Someshwaralayam, Mukteshwarami and Muramalla Sivalayam. At Kotipalli, devotees bathed in the Godavari Pushkarini and had the Lord's 'darshan'. Authorities made special arrangements for Sivarathri but also on Monday, which is considered an auspicious day for Lord Siva. They set up barricades and tents, supplied drinking water and distributed free 'prasadam' to children, with the help of voluntary organisations. Devotees strongly believe that bathing in the Godavari and having darshan of the deity on Sivarathri will wash away their sins. In the wake of bomb blasts at Hyderabad, the police maintained a strict vigil. They checked all suspicious elements and made announcements for the pilgrims to be alert. About three lakh pilgrims visited the Padagaya temple in Pitapuram, and Umaramalingeshwara Swamy temple in Rajahmundry. Minister Pinepe Viswaroop offered special puja at Sri Bhadrakali Sametha Veereshwara Swamy at Muramalla in Konaseema. About 50,000 devotees visited Kotilingala Revu in Kakinada. The police conducted extensive search operations, in view of the pilgrim rush. Many visited the Lord Satyanaryana Swamy temple in Annavaram. The RTC ran special bus services from Kakinada and Rajahmundry from early morning.

Five lakh visit Padagaya Pitapuram: An astounding five lakh pilgrims bathed in the Padagaya pushkarini before having the 'darshan' of Lord Siva in famous Padagaya pilgrim centre here on Maha Sivarathri. They thronged the centre from Saturday night itself and worshipped Kukuteshwara Swamy, Rajarajeshwari Devi, Dattatreya Swamy and Puruhitika Ammavaru at the temple. There was a sea of humanity on the town streets. Metal detectors were placed at the temple entrance in view of intelligence warnings after the bomb blasts at Hyderabad. Everyone had to pass the metal detector before entering . Chief festival officer Subba Rao, Temple Executive Officer PV Chalapati Rao and the festival committee ensured that the devotees were not inconvenienced in any way. Kakinada: All Siva temples in East Godavari district reverberated with the chanting of 'Hara, Hara Mahadev' on Maha Sivaratri. Hordes of devotees thronged Draksharama Bheemeshwaralayam, known as 'Dakshina Kasi', Chalukya Kumararama Bheemeshwaralayam at Samarlakota, also called Yogalingam, among the Pancharamams, Pitapuram Kukuteshwaralayam, one of the Ashtadasha Shaktipeetams, Kotipalli Chaya Someshwaralayam, Mukteshwarami and Muramalla Sivalayam. At Kotipalli, devotees bathed in the Godavari Pushkarini and had the Lord's 'darshan'. Authorities made special arrangements for Sivarathri but also on Monday, which is considered an auspicious day for Lord Siva. They set up barricades and tents, supplied drinking water and distributed free 'prasadam' to children, with the help of voluntary organisations. Devotees strongly believe that bathing in the Godavari and having darshan of the deity on Sivarathri will wash away their sins. In the wake of bomb blasts at Hyderabad, the police maintained a strict vigil. They checked all suspicious elements and made announcements for the pilgrims to be alert. About three lakh pilgrims visited the Padagaya temple in Pitapuram, and Umaramalingeshwara Swamy temple in Rajahmundry. Minister Pinepe Viswaroop offered special puja at Sri Bhadrakali Sametha Veereshwara Swamy at Muramalla in Konaseema. About 50,000 devotees visited Kotilingala Revu in Kakinada. The police conducted extensive search operations, in view of the pilgrim rush. Many visited the Lord Satyanaryana Swamy temple in Annavaram. A The RTC ran special bus services from Kakinada and Rajahmundry from early morning.

Five lakh visit Padagaya Pitapuram: An astounding five lakh pilgrims bathed in the Padagaya pushkarini before having the 'darshan' of Lord Siva in famous Padagaya pilgrim centre here on Maha Sivarathri. They thronged the centre from Saturday night itself and worshipped Kukuteshwara Swamy, Rajarajeshwari Devi, Dattatreya Swamy and Puruhitika Ammavaru at the temple. There was a sea of humanity on the town streets. Metal detectors were placed at the temple entrance in view of intelligence warnings after the bomb blasts at Hyderabad. Everyone had to pass the metal detector before entering . Chief festival officer Subba Rao, Temple Executive Officer PV Chalapati Rao and the festival committee ensured that the devotees were not inconvenienced in any way.

Fear of terror attacks Samarlakota: The pilgrim rush to the Kunnuru Ramabrahmeshwara Swamy temple here was relatively less this year for Maha Sivarathri due to the bomb blasts in Hyderabad. Terror stricken pilgrims visited the temples much closer to their residences. The authorities at the temple however, failed to make proper arrangements for those who visited it. Women with children said that they faced several hardships in the queue due to lack of proper arrangements. Samarlakota: The pilgrim rush to the Kunnuru Ramabrahmeshwara Swamy temple here was relatively less this year for Maha Sivarathri due to the bomb blasts in Hyderabad. Terror stricken pilgrims visited the temples much closer to their residences. The authorities at the temple however, failed to make proper arrangements for those who visited it. Women with children said that they faced several hardships in the queue due to lack of proper arrangements.