Kakinada: Mahashivaratri festival was celebrated across the city on Monday with fervour and devotion. All the temples of Lord Shiva were filled with devotees. Thousands of them thronged the different temples since Sunday night to offer prayers.
The first Abhishekam for Lord Shiva was offered in major temples like Bhimeswara Swamy Temple at Draskharama and Sri Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple at Samalkot, (the pancharama temples). Lord Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple at Pithapuram, known as Padagaya, Lord Someswara Swamy temple at Kotipalli, Lord Mukhtheswara Swamy Temple at Mukhtheswaram, Lord Veereswara Swamy Temple at Muramalla and others reverberated with 'Om Namahashivayaha' chants from the devotees. The devotees lit lamps under 'Maredu trees' in several temples and pujas were performed.
Some of the devotees observed day and night fast and would not be sleeping till Tuesday morning. They performed ritual worship of 'Shiva Lingam' to appease Lord Shiva.
In some of the Shiva temples, Wedding Day of Lord Shiva was observed. It is believed, according to mythological scriptures, that it is auspicious night of Shivaratri during which Lord Shiva performed the 'Thandava', the dance of primal creation, preservation and destruction.
Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of Linga, said eminent priest at Kumara Rama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple at Samalkot Mr Subbanna, who along with other priests performed special poojas and Abhishekas with great devotion.
Several Shiva Temples at Ramaraopet, Jagannaickpur, Temple Street and others, devotees performed Abhishekams.
