Abhishekams, special pujas mark Guru Purnima in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: Elaborate rituals, special 'abhishekam', 'puja' and 'arati' marked Guru Purnima celebrations held at several temples across the city on Tuesday. Guru Purnima, observed on the full moon day of the Ashadam, dates back to the Vedic era. It is celebrated to recognise the importance of teachers who impart knowledge.

Serpentine queues were witnessed at the temples as devotees took part in various rituals performed on the occasion. With the lunar eclipse falling on the same day, several shrines followed the rituals in the morning rather than in the evening as they remained closed in the evening.

At Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Spiritual Centre, Seethammadhara, the celebrations began with 'Sudarshan homam'. It was followed by special abhishekam to Sai Baba, including cooked rice, milk, honey, tender coconut, vermilion, turmeric among several others. Later, the idol of Sai Baba was decked up with garlands before giving 'deeparadhana'. The temple was closed by 6 p.m.

Similarly, at Shri Sai Samsthan Charitable Trust – East Shirdi temple, elaborate puja rituals were performed and large number of devotees gathered at the shrine to have a darshan of Sai Baba.

Simhachalam temple remained open till 4 p.m. on Tuesday to facilitate darshan for hundreds of devotees who participated in Giri Pradakshina.

Guru Purnima celebration was also held at Shirdi Sai Baba Dhyanamandiram, opposite Railway Exhibition grounds. Special puja programmes were held at Sai Mandiram at Muralinagar and several other neighbourhoods. Celebrations at various shrines concluded with 'anna danam'.