Thousands witness Panchalinga Darshan

The rituals at Sri Vaidyanateshwara temple began around 2 am to coincide with ‘Kuhu Muhurtham’ and went on till 6 am. The chief priest of the temple, Krishna Dixit offered abhisheka and mahamangalarathi to the deity.

The devotees had lined up in front of all five temples to have darshan during muhurtham. Many devotees had darshan of all five temples situated in and around Talkad-Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Mallikarjuneshwara, Arkeshwara and Vaidyanateshwara, after taking a holy dip in river Cauvery.

Panchalinga Darshan usually comes once in 13 years; but this time it has come after three years, thanks to Hindu almanac.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa arrived at the temple at 1.50 am along with Cabinet colleagues and took part in the special puja celebrations.

After performing pooja, the Chief Minister said he prayed God for peace and prosperity, especially to people affected by unprecedented floods in 14 districts of North Karnataka region.

Later, the CM walked nearly three km and had darshan of all five lingas.  The police had made elaborate security arrangements in and around Talkad. The whole area was lit up with powerful high-mast lights.

They had put up barricades on one side of the river within which the devotees were supposed to take bath.

The BJP ministers and legislators visited the shrine in separate groups indicating dissidence in the ruling party camp.