Karthika Masam fervour grips all over the state: Devotees offer prayers on second Monday of the holy month

With the auspicious Kartika month started a week back, the Karthika Monday celebrations were held at the Chandragiri. On the second Monday the holy month of Karthika, Lord Shiva is worshiped by the devotees. Chandragiri, which is located at a distance of 12 km from the famous pilgrimage site of Tirupati, is a well known region because Sri Krishna Devaraya built the fort here and ruled over the Vijayanagara Empire.

Historical evidence shows that the Shiva lingam on the hill of Mallaiyapalli near Chandragiri was worshiped on every full moon.

In 1923, Malayala Swamy (founder of Srivayasa Ashram, Arupadu, Chittoor District, AP) took over the glorious ancient Shivalingam and placed it on the hill of Mallaiyapalli with his own hands.

As part of the Kartika masam special pooja, rudrabisekam was performed at 3:30 am in the morning followed by the rituals and the lord was beautifully decorated.

As part of the ritual, Chandana will be decorated in the afternoon and the temple committee will hold a Shivabhajana with devotees from 6 pm to 8 pm. On the 10th of this month, Triyodashi and Revathi will be performing the Laksha Dhovotsavam.