Karthika masam begins, Shiva temples ready to welcome devotees

SRIKAKULAM/VIZIANAGARAM

Temples dedicated to Lord Mahashiva in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts are gearing up for the month-long auspicious celebrations of the Karthika masam .

Special prayers including Rudrabhisekhamas and other devotional programmes will begin on October 22 and conclude on November 20, at major temples including thye Srimukhalingeswara Swamy temple of Jalumuru mandal, Endala Mallikarjuna temple of Tekkali, Umarudra Koteswara Alayaam and Shiva Balaji temple of Srikakulam.

Officials from the Endowments department and temple trustees are making elaborate arrangements to ensure hassle free darshan for devotees.

Srimukhaligam head priest Naidugari Rajasekhar said that devotees from neighbouring Odisha will be visiting the temple after taking a holy dip in the Vamsadhara River.

Chairman of Lord Shiva Balaji temple trust, Gunta Tulasi Rao said that special queue lines have been created to manage the heavy rush of devotees that the temple will witness particularly on Mondays of the Karthika masam.

The Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple, in Vizianagaram, is also expected to witness large crowds like every year, as devotees will offer prayers to replicas of Dwadasa Jyotirlingas within the temple premises.

The historic Mudu Kovellu located near Vizianagaram fort has also geared up for the month-long festivities.