Show of devotion at Shiva temples for Mahashivaratri

Devotees thronged temples across the city on Friday on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.

Special pujas, prayers, satsangs and an array of religious and cultural activities marked the day. At Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in Gavipuram, which opened at 5 am, hundreds of devotees offered prayers to the Shiva Linga. Devotees on Mahashivaratri observe a fast throughout the day and night and break the fast after prayers to Lord Shiva the following morning.

Sri Someshwara Swamy temple, Shivoham Shiva Temple at Indiranagar, Vasavi Kannika Parameshwari temple in Vijayanagar, Rameshwara temple at Chamarajpet were spruced up.

The sacred mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' resonated at temples all through the day. "We observe 'jaagaran', an all night vigil, to overcome darkness and ignorance in one's world by prayers. Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk are made to the diety on this day," said Latha Krishna from Vijayanagar who observes the festival every year.

Like every year, Maha Sudarshana Kriya, Maha Rudrabhishekam along with Maha Satsang were conducted at the Art of Living International Centre, Kanakapura Road in which the centre’s founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar took part.

Chaturveda Sahitha Chaturyaama puja was performed by 50 vedic scholars at Sri Sringeri Shankar Mutt, Shankarapuram. Ganesh Ganapatigal and Y N Srinivas from the mutt said that this is the eight edition of the puja and is being held annually for global peace.