Guntur: Shiva temples decked up for Maha Shivarathri

Guntur/ Vijayawada: Shivalayams are decked up for the holy Maha shivarathri to be celebrated on February 21 in Krishna and Guntur districts. Historical Shiva temples in both the districts will attract lakhs of devotees on the occasion of Shivarathri. The temple authorities are making elaborate arrangements for the convenience of devotees. Famous Shiva temples are located at Amaravati and Pedakakani in Guntur district and Yanamalakuduru near Vijayawada, Muktyala in Jaggaiahpet mandal, Mopidevi, Nandigama and other parts of Krishna district. Devotees take a holy dip in Krishna river and sea in beaches spread over two districts to mark the Maha sivarathri festival.

Sri Amareswara Swamy temple authorities at Amaravati in Guntur district are making elaborate arrangements for the annual spiritual event. They set up pandals and illuminated with lighting. Separate queue lines are arranged in the temple to check stampede and special counters are arranged to sell Prasadam. Separate places allotted for women to light the lamps. The temple authorities have already started Amareswara Swamy Brahmmotsavams on February 18.Amaravati is one of the pancharamam and having historical significance on the banks of river Krishna.

Temple authorities will perform Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam, laksha Bilwarchana and special pujas to the presiding deity Amareswara Swamy since 4 am on February 21. Mahanyasam and Maha Rudram will be performed later.After that Yedurukola, Kalyanotsavam will be performed to Sri Amareswara Swamy. In Krishna district famous Siva temple have been decorated and illuminated with lighting for MahaShivarathri. Sri Bhramamba Malleswara Swamy temple known as Old Shivalayam in One-Town was decorated and illuminated for Maha Sivaratri. Celestial wedding of Sri Ganga Bhramaramba and Malleswara Swamy will be performed at 12 midnight on February 21. Spiritual programme will be held up to February 27. Endowment Minister Velampalli Srinivas will be the chief guest for the celestial wedding.

Munigiri Hill in Yanamlakuduru village in the outskirts of Vijayawada is one of the biggest temples in the district. Rama lingeswara Swamy temple is famous for Vayu Lingakaram. Sculptures at the temple were carved by expert artistes from Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu. Chariots procession is another special attraction in Yanamalakuduru.

Sri Bhavani Mukteswara Swamy temple in Muktyala village of Jaggaiahpet mandal is famous in South India. Siva ratri festival is celebrated with gaiety and fervor. Celestial wedding of Siva and Parvati will be performed to mark the occasion and lakhs of devotees visit the temple to mark Sivaratri.

Sri Parvati Sameta Ramalingeswara Swamy temple located in Mutyalampadu is decorated for the Maha Sivaratri to be observed on February 21. Ramalingeswara Swamy procession will be taken out at 5 p.m. on February 22.

Another historical Shiva temple is located near Damuluru on the banks of River Krishna in Nandigama mandal. The temple is known as Kudali Sangameswara Swamy temple as two rivulets Wyra and Kattaleru meet at the village. Raja Vasireddy had rebuilt the temple. Thousands of devotees will visit the temple to mark the Sivaratr after taking bath in Krishna River and visit the temple. Sri Durga Nageshwara Swamy temple located at Mopidevi village on the banks of Krishna river attracts a large number of devotees. Annual Brahmotsavams are performed from February 18 to 26 at the temple. The temple was built in the 12th century and renovated in 1782 by Challapalli Raja Yarlagadda Kodanda Ramanna.