TIRUPATI: Devotees flocked to Lord Shiva temples across the combined Chittoor districts and performed special rituals on the last Monday of the auspicious Karthika Masam.
All the temples dedicated to Lord Shiva were open in the early hours and kept open till late in the evening, while devotees queued for darshan after taking a holy dip in the tanks of various temples right from the early hours.
The Lord Kapileswara temple in Tirupati saw a massive turnout of devotees. The 11-day long Rudra yagam conducted at this temple as part of the month-long Homa Mahotsavam concluded on Monday with the Shiva Parvati Kalyanotsavam in the evening.
Meanwhile, Kalasa Sthapana, Kalasa Aradhana and homa will precede the Sri Chandikeswara Homam that starts on Tuesday.
The Srikalahasti temple, renowned for Rahu-Ketu pujas, witnessed an overwhelming turnout of devotees throughout the day. Women devotees lit ghee-wick lamps and offered special prayers. Approximately, 3,836 devotees performed Rahu-Ketu puja on Monday.
Marking the occasion, devotees took holy baths at the popular waterfalls of Talakona, Kailasakona, Moolakona and Sadasiva Kona in the combined Chittoor district.
Special pujas were performed at Shiva temples in Yogimallavaram, Chittoor, Mogili, Chippili, Gudimallam, Surutupalle, Ramagiri and Bugga
A large number of devotees worshipped at the temple of Lord Mogileeswara at Mogili. Local people trekked the hillocks of Battinayya Kona, Sadasiva Kona and performed special pujas at Lord Siva temples.
