All the Shiv kshetras across the state reverberated with ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ chants while devotees thronged to offer prayers to Lord Shiva on the auspicious Mahashivratri day. Since the early hours of Friday, all the saivic temples witnessed long queues of devotees to have a holy Dharshan of the Lord and offer special prayers. Mahashivratri which is celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha or Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar is celebrated with great fervour across India with devotees holding jagarans and fastings.
According to Hindu mythology, Mahashivratri, which literally translates to ‘the greatest night of Shiva’ celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati, who is also known as Shakti. While this is one of the many stories, a few also mark it as the day Lord Shiva drank the poison that came out from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan between gods and demons. All main Shiva shrines in the state like Srisailam, Kotappakonda Hill, Vemulawada, Mahanandi Temple, Srikalahasteeswara Temple flocked with devotees across the country.
