Warangal: Fervour marks Karthika Pournami

Warangal: Karthika Pournami, the festival celebrated on full moon day of holy month - Karthika Masam, was celebrated with religious fervour in the erstwhile Warangal district on Tuesday. All the Shaivite temples in the region were abuzz with thousands of devotees standing in serpentine queues to offer prayers.

The devotees had to wait hours together at the 1000 Pillar temple, the abode of Lord Rudreshwara Swamy, for darshan. A large number of devotees were seen at Siddheshwaralayam near Padmakshi temple and Ramalingeshwara Swamy shrine, also known as Ramappa temple, with the temple precincts reverberating with the chants of 'Siva Namam'.

Meanwhile, flower and fruit vendors had a field day. With the festival is regarded as auspicious, the prices of flowers and fruits shot up phenomenally. Kartika masam (month) holds immense importance for Hindus as it is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. According to another legend, the festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Vishnu who incarnated as Matsyavatram, first of 10 avatars of the Lord, on Kartik Pournami.