Pilgrims Gather at Historic Shiva Temples Across Karnataka
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Synopsis
Maha Shivratri was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Karnataka, with devotees visiting historic Shiva temples adorned with flowers, conducting special prayers, and preparing traditional sweets. Key temples like Kadu Malleshwara, Shivoham, and Gavi Gangadhareshwara attracted thousands, highlighting the cultural significance of this auspicious occasion.
Key Takeaways
- Maha Shivratri celebrated with fervor in Karnataka.
- Devotees adorned homes and temples with flowers.
- Special sweets prepared for the occasion.
- Kadu Malleshwara temple features unique water flowing phenomenon.
- Shivoham temple boasts a towering Shiva statue.
- Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple has a unique Makar Sankranti event.
Bengaluru, Feb 26 (NationPress) Maha Shivratri was celebrated with immense enthusiasm throughout Karnataka on Wednesday. Shiva temples across the state were beautifully adorned with floral decorations, and devotees queued up at ancient temples in various cities for 'darshan' and special prayers.
Residents throughout the state embellished their homes with garlands and conducted special worship rituals within their residences.
Special sweets like ‘tambittu’ and ‘ellu unde’ (a dish prepared with sesame seeds) were made at home, while numerous elders and devotees observed fasting during this auspicious occasion.
In Bengaluru, known as the Silicon City, thousands of devotees flocked to the 17th-century Kadu Malleshwara temple in Malleshwaram. The Maha Shivratri festival stands as the temple’s most significant annual celebration. A remarkable aspect of the temple is the Nandi bull statue, from whose mouth water flows onto the Shiva Linga. Scientific studies indicate that this phenomenon is attributed to an underground spring that feeds the Nandi’s mouth.
At the Shivoham Shiva temple on Airport Road, where a gigantic 65-foot-tall Shiva statue resides, devotees queued for over a kilometer. Located in Bengaluru’s tech corridor, this temple serves as a major center of devotion. The entrance is marked by a 25-foot-tall Shiva Lingam.
Thousands of devotees also visited the renowned Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple, famously known as the cave temple, which dates back to the 16th century and is situated in Chamarajpet. This temple is celebrated for a unique annual event that occurs on Makar Sankranti when sunlight streams through an arc between the horns of Nandi, directly illuminating the Shiva Linga inside the cave for an hour.
BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra conveyed his wishes, stating, "Heartfelt greetings to all the people of the state on the occasion of Maha Shivratri! May the almighty Lord Parameshwara bring happiness, peace, and prosperity into everyone's life on this auspicious day. I pray that Lord Shiva's blessings be upon you all."
The police department has implemented extensive security measures throughout the city, as temples will remain open until early Thursday morning, allowing devotees to visit throughout the night.
At the Art of Living Centre in Bengaluru, the relics of the original Somnath Jyotirlinga housed at the ashram have attracted many devotees. The ashram asserted that these sacred fragments belonged to the original Somnath Jyotirlinga, believed to have been destroyed in 1026 CE during an attack by Mahmud of Ghazni.
Additionally, thousands of devotees gathered at Sadguru Sannidhi in Chikkaballapur to seek the darshan of Adiyogi and Yogeshwar Linga.
