Hyderabad: Devotees across the city and state thronged Shiva temples to worship Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil, and celebrate Maha Shivaratri.
From dawn, serpentine queues had formed at various temples across the city. Devotees offered bael leaves (maaredu), milk and honey and chanted the name of Shiva. Temples were packed as devotees participated in elaborate rituals. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao conveyed Maha Shivaratri greetings to the people of the state. He prayed for the well being of all.
Shaivite temples reverberated with chants of ‘Om Namah Shivaya!’ as special prayers and rituals marking the day were offered. Keesaragutta Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy temple in Medchal is one of the greatest attractions around the place.
The number of devotees visiting the Keesara temple during Maha Shivaratri has been increasing each year, and elaborate arrangements were made this time to accommodate the crowds. The 1,000 pillar temple in Hanamkonda, the Ramappa temple in Palampet, Ganapeshwaralayam in Ghanpur, Someshwara Swamy temple in Palakurthy, and Veerabhadra Swamy temple in Kuravi, saw large number of devotees since early hours.
As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that in ancient times in the Ramayana period, Lord Hanuman visited this place and performed Lord Rama Puja when he was searching for Goddess Sita. The temple is 300 years old. Sri Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated on a very big scale here.
Many devotees follow a nirjala vrat, which is basically going without water the whole day. It is not recommended for everyone, especially not for pregnant women, the old and the sick. Instead, most people eat only fruit and some even have a light satvik meal.
Seasonal fruits such as ber, guava, grapes, banana and apples are considered good. Some people prepare kheer, srikhand and other sweet dishes for the day. Grains like kuttu ka atta and sabudana are also allowed during the fast.
Shivaratri is observed by Hindus on the 14th day of every lunar month, or the day before the new moon. So, while Shivaratri is celebrated throughout the year, the Maha Shivaratri, which falls in the month of Maagha or Phalguna, is of greater religious importance.
The devoted fast and stay up all night to chant devotional songs. Known to be one of the most easy-to-please gods, Shiva is believed to be happy with devotees if they offer him woodapple leaves, cold water and milk with utmost devotion.
According to popular belief, anyone who utters the name of Shiva during this period with purity gets liberated from the cycle of birth and death, and achieves moksha.
