Heavy rush at Shiva temples as 'Kartika Masam' starts

Hyderabad, Oct.31: Devotees thronged all the temples, especially Shivalayas, since early morning with the commencement of the auspicious month of Kartika today. As per the traditional Telugu calendar, the Kartika masam is the eighth month is considered very sacred and observed with various rituals by the devout Hindus in both the Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Prades from October 31 to November 29 this year. During the holy month, Mondays are considered very auspicious, and devotees perform special poojas in Lord Shiva temples. The very first day of the Kartika masam this year falling on Monday today seemed very significant and hence there was a huge rush in all the temples, especially the Shiva temples in both the Telugu States. After celebrating Deepawali festival till late in the night, devout Hindus got up early in the morning to take oil bath and rushed to the Shiva temples to perform special rituals. The famous Shiva temple in Srisailam witnessed the unprecedented rush of devotees. After having a holy dip in the Pathala Ganga, the devotees formed serpentine queues to have darshan of the presiding deity Lord Mallikharjuna Swamy. The temple authorities made all arrangements to ensure the devotees have darshan of the deity without any hindrance. Tight security was also put in place to enforce orderly queue system for the devotees for darshan of the deity. Many important temples in Amaravathi, Bhimavaram, Palakollu, Samarlakota besides the famous Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada witnessed the heavy rush of devotees today. Even in the Telangana State, all the Shiva temples were thronged by devotees, especially in Vemulawada and Keesara Shiva temples. During the auspicious month, the Ayyappa devotees too commence their annual ritual with Maaladharana (wearing of sacred Tulasi mala) for their pilgrimage to Sabarimala for either the Mandala Pooja or Makara Jyothi.