Spiritual fervour marks Mahasivaratri celebrations across Visakhapatnam
The Hindu
Mahasivaratri in Visakhapatnam featured heartfelt devotion, Vedic hymns, and large gatherings for spiritual celebrations and rituals.
Devotion and spiritual fervour marked Mahasivaratri celebrations across the city on Sunday, with priests rendering Vedic hymns at major Siva temples.
An artiste in the attire of Lord Siva walking along the Main Road near GVMC on the occasion of Mahasivaratri in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. | Photo Credit: V RAJU
The 41st Maha Kumbhabhishekam at RK Beach emerged as the centrepiece of the festivities. The iconic Beach Road echoed with chants as thousands of devotees gathered for the Kotilingalu ceremony.
Former Union Minister T. Subbarami Reddy oversaw the rituals, which included abhishekam to one crore Siva Lingas with holy water brought from sacred rivers across the country.
Despite tight security arrangements in view of the International Fleet Review, an estimated two lakh devotees thronged the beach for the holy dip and the evening spiritual congregation. The district administration, along with the police, deployed drone surveillance and around 8,000 personnel to regulate the crowd, as festival attendees and naval visitors converged at the venue.
Meanwhile, B. K. Aparanji of the Brahma Kumaris spiritual organisation in Murali Nagar said the spiritual celebrations reached their peak over the weekend. The programme began on Friday with an elaborate display of the Dvadasa Jyotirlingas, representing the 12 sacred abodes of Lord Siva. The exhibition was open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., enabling devotees to offer prayers and witness the installations.
Restricted access on Day 1 of India AI Impact Summit; expo opens to all from February 17 with international pavilions.
A friend reflects on Saketh's final days, revealing signs of distress before his tragic death in California.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticizes DMK for corruption blame, deepening rifts in their alliance during a Madurai meeting.
Tension escalates in Pune as FIR filed against Congress leader amid Tipu Sultan controversy, leading to stone-throwing incidents.
M.K. Stalin announces a three-day celebration for Vallalar's birth anniversary and a research center in Chennai.
Two residents of Kota in Uduipi district have allegedly lost over Rs. 3 lakh to cyber fraudsters.
Tense elections for mayors and municipal chairpersons in Telangana as parties strategize amid uncertainties in local bodies.
Raipur police arrest six for orchestrating a cheating scheme in the GATE examination using electronic devices.
Intense competition for mayoral control in Karimnagar and Nizamabad heats up as independent candidates hold the key to victory.
Mullaperiyar dam's water level is 119.60 feet, with inflow at 34 cusecs and discharge at 644 cusecs.
Kerala experiences a significant decline in monsoon rainfall, raising concerns over climate change impacts and water resource management.
KSRTC increases luggage fares by 15%, effective February 16, aligning with the 2025 bus fare hike.
Palaniswami denies Stalin's 'slave' accusation, asserting AIADMK's independence and criticizing DMK's reliance on Congress and governance issues.