HYDERABAD: Maha Shivaratri was celebrated with devotion and religious fervour in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad on Monday with devotees observing fast and offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
Famous Shiva temples at Keesara, Shivam, Shankar Mutt, Begumpet, Punjagutta, Ameerpet, Somajiguda, Begum Bazar, Kachiguda, Amberpet, Nallakunta, Tilak Nagar, Himayatnagar, Gowliguda, Esamia Bazar, Malakpet, Dilsukhnagar, Secunderabad, Kukatpally, Dhoolpet, Lal Darwaza and other areas witnessed a heavy rush of devotees.
As part of the festival celebrations, temples in and around the city were decorated beautifully and day-long religious programmes were conducted there.
Thousands of devotees thronged Shiva temples in the twin cities since morning and performed ‘Abhishekam’ to Shivalingas.
Chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’ they performed a special ritual bath on Shiva idols with milk.
Religious and cultural programmes were organised with bhajans and Harikathas. Legend has it that Lord Shiva was married to Goddess Parvati on this day.
Fasting on Shivratri is considered to be the most important for devotees of Shiva. Though many go on a diet of fruits and milk, some do not consume even a drop of water all through the day and night of Shivaratri.
Devotees believe that sincere observance of Shivaratri puja and all night worship of Shiva will absolve them of all their sins and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death.