Maha Shivaratri special: Telugu states celebrate the festival with fervour and enthusiasm, devotees offer prayers at all shaivites

With the chants of 'Om Namah Shivaya' and 'Har Har Mahadev,' reverberating the temples across the country, devotees of two Telugu states Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are performing the morning rituals of Maha Shivratri on Friday, February 21. Long queues of Shiva lovers were seen at various temples since the break of the dawn. Following the traditional rituals, people were seen offering bael leaves, milk and honey to 'Shivling,' an iconic representation of Shiva - one of the deities of Hindu triumvirate.

Devotees have been waiting in queens since midnight on the main Saivites, Srisailam and Vemulawada while devotees of Mallikarjunaswamy-Bhramarambika Devi are offering prayers from Thursday Night. Bhramarambikadevi-Mallikarjunaswamy Brahmotsavam is said to be hosted at 12 pm.

Srirajrajeshwara Swamy Temple in Vemulawada of Telangana also known as Dakshinakshi is crowded with devotees. The temple has been performing special rites since morning. In the wake of Shivaratri, officials cancelled the regular services. Minister Indrakaran Reddy will present Silk robes to the goddess on behalf of the state government. Officials have set up special arrangements for Siva Deeksha at 4 pm and Mahalingarchana will be held at the Swamivari Kalyana Mandapam at 6 pm as part of celebrations.