Huge Rush at Bathing Ghats, Shiva Temples

Kakinada: Hundreds of devotees thronged Shiva temples in Godavari districts like Kakinada, Konaseema, Eluru, East and West Godavari and took holy dip in the river or canal ghats or seaside beaches on the eve of Karthika Masa.

Due to hurricanes and rain on the last two Mondays, density was not as high as officials expected. But on the third Monday, devotees in large numbers arrived at the Godavari ghats in Rajamahendravaram in the early hours and took holy dip.

They lit the auspicious lamps (Karthika Deepams) and left them floating in the waters.

Devotees offered prayers and performed special poojas and abhishekams at various Shiva temples like the four Pancharama Kshetra – Draksharama (Bhimeswara Swamy-Manikyamba temple), Chalukya KumaraRama Bhimeswara Swamy temple in Samalkot, Sri Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy temple in Palakollu and Soma Rameswara Swamy temple in Bhimavaram. Other famous temples like Kukkuteswara Swamy-Puruhutika temple in Pithapuram, Mukteswara Swamy temple in Mukteswaram, Veereswara Swamy temple in Muramalla, Sri Vighneswara temple in Ainavilli, Kundaleswara Swamy temple in Kundaleswaram, Antarvedi Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswara Swamy temple In Penugonda, Markendeya Swamy, Visweswara Swamy, Uma Maheswara Swamy, Kotilngeswara Swamy and other temples in Rajamahendravaram, Koppulingeswara Swamy temple in Palivela etc.

The temple authorities have made all arrangements for smooth conduct of the events. The police have also taken special security measures in many temples in the state, keeping in mind the previous bitter experiences.

Many devotees perform Lakha Patri pooja, Laksha Vothulu etc. carried out. In Rajamahendravaram, Pantham Satyanarayana charity led by Pantham Kondala Rao organized the Lakha Deepotsavam event at Kotilngeswara Swamy temple in Rajamahendravaram.

Polasanapalli Hanumantha Rao, former president of Markandeya Swamy temple, blew the conch to mark the beginning of the event.

Former MLC Adireddy Appa Rao and his wife and former mayor Veera Raghavamma, Rajamahendravaram MLA Adireddy Srinivas, former MP Margani Bharat, YSRC leader Jakkampudi Vijayalakshmi, former MLA Rowthu Surya Prakasa Ra and others attended the program and received god’s blessings.

Many devotees, especially women, thronged the grounds to light the auspicious lamps.