On the eve of Maha Siva Rathri tomorrow, the temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are being beautifully decorated with flowers and mango leaves across the state. Already a large number of Shaivites and devotees of Lord Shiva are reaching famous pilgrimage centres in the state- Srisailam, Sri Kala Hasthi, Vemulawada and Pancharama Kshetras. Arrangements are also going on in full swing at all these temples to ensure that devotees don't face inconvenience.

APSRTC too is running special buses to various pilgrimage centres on the eve of this festival. As many as 150 special buses are already plying between Hyderabad and Vemulavada (Karimnagar district). The temple officials at Sri Kala Hasthi and Vemulawada have said that this time due importance would be given to the ordinary devotees. VIPs were asked to move keeping in view the inconvenience of the ordinary devotees.

Every year on the eve of Siva Rathri, lakhs of devotees throng these pilgrimage centres believing that offering prayers at swayambu lingas and performing abhishekams would free one from the cycle of life and death.

(AW Phani)