Siva temples gear up for Mahasivaratri celebrations

Elaborate arrangements made for hassle-free darshan at Saivite temples on Mahasivaratri in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

VIZIANAGARAM

Administrations of both Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts have been making elaborate arrangements to ensure hassle-free darshan at Saivite temples on the eve of Mahasivaratri, which will be celebrated on Wednesday. Around 50,000 people will visit the historic Ramatheertham temple in Nellimarla mandal of Vizianagaram district. Although it is a Vaishnavite temple, the devotees prefer to visit the temple as they believe that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva on the temple premises.

Vizianagaram Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal said that three DSPs and 22 Sub Inspector rank officials would monitor the security and traffic arrangements in the temple, which is located 15 km from Vizianagaram city. The temples located in Punyagiri of Srungavarapu Kota mandal, Pashupathinatheswara temple and Mudu Kovellu in Vizianagaram would also witness an extra rush of devotees on Wednesday.

Kusumanchi Foundation’s president Kusumanchi Subbarao said that ‘Maha Rudrabhisekham’ would be performed on the foundation premises at Phool Bagh in Vizianagaram.

The temples in Srikakulam, such as Srikumukha Lingam, Endala Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Ravi Valasa, Koteswara Alayam and Siva Balaji temple of Srikakulam were decorated on the eve of Mahasivaratri.