VIJAYAWADA: The first Monday of Karthika Masam witnessed a sea of devotees in the Lord Shiva temples across the city. Many devotees before dawn made beeline queues to take a holy dip in Krishna river before visiting temples.
The temples were decked up and the chant of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and ‘Hara Hara Mahadev’ reverberated around.Priests performed special poojas like Sahasra lingarchana and Rudra homam and other rituals to mark the auspicious Karthika masam. Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, One Town Sivalayam and Governorpet Kasi Visweswara Swamy Temple began the celebrations at dawn. Meanwhile, devotees also observed a fast and performed special poojas like Kumkumarchana, Rudrabhishekam and lighted lamps.
Nagula Chavithi celebrated with devotion
‘Nagula Chavithi’, a festival dedicated to ‘Naga Devatha’ was celebrated with devotion and piety as women devotees carried offerings to various snake pits in and around the city on Monday. As per Hindu tradition, the festival is celebrated on the fourth day after Diwali. On this day devotees observe a fast and believe that one could get rid of prolonged illness by worshiping the snake god. Dressed in bright colors, women accompanied by their husband and children offered prayers and “poojas,” adorning the snake pits with saffron and turmeric. Women also offered milk and eggs at the snake pits seeking divine blessings for the well being of their family. Serpentine queues were seen at various temples, including snake pits at Eluru Lakulu, Sub-Collector’s Office, District Courts Complex, electricity sub-station near Ramavarappadu Junction and at many other locations. Police made elaborate arrangements to manage the crowds at the small temple and the surrounding snake pits near the State Guest House. At the other end, devotees also performed ‘Ksheera Abhishekam’ to tiny snake images in their homes to propitiate Nagaraja and burnt crackers near the snake pits.