Devotees please Rudra with prayers

Over a lakh turn up at Dharmasthala for Darshana

'Shivaratri', the festival of Lord Shiva was celebrated with fervour in both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Thousands of devotees thronged at the famous Shiva temples to offer different poojas and to have the glimpse of the Lord.

As a part of Maha Shivaratri, several poojas like Shivapooje, Rudrabhisheka, Javapooje, Mahapooje were performed throughout the day. The devotees who came from different parts of the State waited in a long queue to offer prayers to the Lord at the famous Shiva temples of coastal districts.

In Dharmasthala

Over one lakh devotees paid visit to pious land of Lord Manjunatha in Dharmasthala on Monday. The devotees who came walking from various parts of the State including Bangalore, Mysore, Hassan, Tumkur dipped in river Netravati river had the holy bath prior to having ‘darshan’ of the God. With jagarane, fasting, bhajans, satsanga, shiva panchakshari patana echoing from every corner of Dharamasthala, the temple town which was decorated beautifully wore the look of Kailasa.

Shatarudrabhisheka was performed four times in the morning following which the chariot was pulled.

Kadri

The temple was buzzing with devotees from Monday morning till late in the evening at Kadri. The temple trust had arranged a special mass prayer, ‘Lokakalyana Prarthane’ on Monday morning in the temple premises, where the devotees prayed for the welfare of the society.

Bhajans were performed throughout the day and cultural programmes including dance and play on Kshetra Mahime was held in the night. According to estimation over 30,000 devotees visited the temple by Monday evening.

Kudroli

Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara temple too wore a festive as the temple remained jam packed with devotees arriving at the temple. The festive mood was no less than the famous Kudroli Dasara celebrations. As the darkness peeped in, the temple glittered with colourful lights giving a heavenly look to the temple.

Maharudrabhisheka was performed on the Lord throughout the day and night. As the devotees practised ‘Jagarane’ (staying awake during the night without consuming food), the temple had organised Yakshagana, light music songs and other cultural programmes to keep the devotees awake. Annasantharpana will be offered to over 20,000 devotees on Tuesday afternoon, informed Temple Trust member Harikrishna Bantwal.

The devotees offered special prayers at the historical Mahalingeshwara temple in Puttur.

The Temple Trust informed that over 2500 Rudrabhishekas were performed on Monday. Chandra Mandala Utsava, Kare Ayana Utsava were performed during the night. 

Shivaratri was held with grandeur in other temples too including Sri Somanatheshwara temple in Someshwara, Ullal, Umamaheshwari temple in Thokkottu and Durgaparameshwari temple in Kumpala.

Shivaratri in Udupi

Unlike usual, where only prayers for Lord Krishna is recited everyday, the devotees offered day-and-night prayers reciting name of Lord Shiva in Udupi on Monday. The long queues which are normally found in Krishna Mutt temple, were shifted to Anantheshwara and Chandramoulishwwara temples, which are located in front of Krishna mutt on Monday.

Special prayers were offered to the Lord and religious rituals had begun early in the morning which went on till late night. The devotees offered Bilwapatre to the God which holds a special significance during Shivaratri.