Devotees throng Siva temples

On the auspicious occasion of the first Monday of Kartika Masam, a large number of devotees thronged the Shiva temples in Vijayawada and performed special pujas. Before having darshan, the devotees took a holy dip in River Krishna at the Pavitra Durga Ghat which is opposite Indrakeeladri.
For the first Monday, the temples were all decked up and reverberated with ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and ‘Hara Hara Mahadev Shambho Shankar’ chants. Priests performed special pujas like Sahasra Lingarchana and Rudra Homam and other rituals.
The celebrations kicked off at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri, Old Sivalayam at One Town, and Kasi Visweswara Swamy Temple at Governorpet at dawn itself. The devotees observed fast, performed special pujas like Kumkumarchana and Rudrabhishekam and lit lamps.
With the support of the Water Resources Department, the Durga temple authorities have made all arrangements for the devotees to take a holy dip at the Durga Ghat. Barricades are placed in River Krishna at deep portions and warning boards are arranged for the devotees not to venture into the river at the Durga Ghat.
Meanwhile, Durga temple Sthanacharya Vishnubhotla Sivaprasad Sharma performed special pujas. To take the holy dip and visit Shiva temples, the devotees started reaching Durga Ghat right from the wee hours. Women observed fast.
Vedic Committee members Maruthi Yagna Narayana, Executive Engineer Lingam Rama Devi and others were present.