Mahashivaratri observed with fervour

Mahashivaratri, the festival of night vigil was observed with fervour at all Shiva temples in the city on Thursday. Temples especially those dating back to the princely rule that still hold sway over the devotees were specially decked up for the occasion.

 However, the new attraction for the year was 36 foot tall Shivalinga made of cardboard consecrated by Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vidyalaya at railway layout in Vijayanagar third stage.

The rituals at the temples here began with ‘mahanyasa puja’, ‘rudrabhisheka’, ‘ashtothara’ and concluded with ‘mahamangalarathi’.

The 108 idols of Shivalinga at Gurukula on Ramanuja road witnessed a steady stream of devotees ever since the crack of the dawn. The ‘Gurukula’ of Siddalingaswamy, the renowned sculptor during Wadiyar’s reign who was bestowed with the title ‘Shilpa Siddanthi’ is opened only for Shivaratri. Another attraction in the opposite location Kameshwara Kameshwari Temple, though remains open on other days too, wore an enhanced look on the day. The monolithic idol of the bull (sitting posture) carved in black granite at the entrance of the temple is the main attraction here.

Similar was the scene at Trinayaneshwara Swamy Temple, popularly known as Trineshwara Swamy temple within the precincts of the Palace. It’s during this time of the year the deity, the idol of Shivalinga is decorated with the golden mask weighing 16 kg. The antique piece is specially brought for the festival from the safety locker of the district administration. According to the available history, the mask was gifted to three temples in the undivided Mysore by the then maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar to celebrate the birth of his son Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar in the year 1953. They are -Trineshwara Swamy temple, Nanjangud Srikanteshwara Swamy temple and Male Mahadeshwara Swamy Temple at M M Hills in Chamarajanagar district.

Equally significant by history and also known for its rarity is Kashi Vishwanatha Swamy temple on Ramanuja road. The deity, Shivalinga was brought from Kashi by the then dewan Sardar M Kantharaja Urs (grandfather of Chaduranga Kantharaja Urs who is touted to be the successor to Mysore royal family), according to its priest Kumaraswamy. Like Trineshwara, the deity here too is decorated with the mask a mix of gold and silver metals for the festival. Intriguing is a pond in front of the temple that was earlier connected to the temple by underground stairs. Though the stairway was closed for permanent, water from the pond is still used for the rituals, claims Kumaraswamy, who has inherited the job from his ancestors.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements with flying squads, and the barricades in front of the prominent temples in the city to ensure hassle free visit.