The temple town of Srikalahasti in Tirupati district resonated with devotion and spiritual fervour as thousands of devotees gathered at the Sri Vayulingeswara Swamy Temple to take part in the Maha Shivaratri celebrations.
Tirupati:The temple town of Srikalahasti in Tirupati district resonated with devotion and spiritual fervour as thousands of devotees gathered at the Sri Vayulingeswara Swamy Temple to take part in the Maha Shivaratri celebrations.
Flowers, intricate rangolis and dazzling lights adorned the temple, renowned for its Vayu Lingam — one of the Pancha Bhoota Lingams representing the element of air, creating an atmosphere of divine grandeur.
Pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka gathered at the Rahu Ketu Kshetra to offer prayers to Lord Vayulingeswara and Goddess Gnana Prasunamba.
The number of devotees started surging from midnight on Tuesday. The general queue lines stretched over two kilometres. A significant crowd of people thus opted for paid darshan.
Rituals commenced during the early hours with a special abhishekam, followed by traditional vahana sevas, such as the Indira Vimanam and Chapara Seva. The evening witnessed the grand procession of the Golden Nandi and Golden Simha Vahanas, culminating in the Lingodbhava Maha Abhishekam — a sacred midnight ritual symbolising Lord Shiva's cosmic emergence.
Local MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy and temple officials, led by executive officer T. Bapi Reddy, closely oversaw the arrangements. Security was tight with more than a thousand police personnel deployed under the supervision of district SP V. Harshavardhan Raju.
Temple authorities arranged temporary shelters and additional bathing ghats along the Swarnamukhi River. Food and drinking water stalls were strategically placed along the queue routes, ensuring smooth crowd management and a comfortable experience for pilgrims.
Devotees showed equal devotion at the Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams made special arrangements to manage the large turnout. Sarva Darshan began at 6 a.m. and extended late into the night.
The Brahmotsavam celebrations here included the Bhogiteru procession in the morning, followed by Rathotsavam and Snapana Tirumanjanam.
Devotees also thronged other hill temples in Tirupati and Chittoor districts, such as Talakona, Kailasakona, Sadasiva Kona, and Nagalapuram, with many taking ritual baths at the nearby waterfalls. At the Mogili Temple near Bangarupalem, thousands turned up to seek the blessings of the presiding deity.
In Nellore, endowments minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy visited the Moolasthaneswara Swamy Temple in Moolapeta. He performed special pujas and prayed for the state's welfare and prosperity. He highlighted the state government's efforts under the leadership of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu in organising the Maha Shivaratri celebrations at the nearly 30 Shaivite temples across the state.
