Piety in the Air as People Stream to Temples

HYDERABAD, INDIA, February 26, 2025 (The Hindu): Streets lined with flower and fruit vendors, and temples adorned in vibrant hues of saffron, white, and pink, marked Maha Shivaratri in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Palash, marigold, jasmine and roses hung in neat bunches, ready to decorate temples and homes, while fruit sellers weighed out watermelons, apples and guavas – for the steady stream of fasting devotees. By 6 am, the most revered Shiva temples in and around the city, including Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple in Keesaragutta and Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy Temple in Vemulawada, had already begun drawing large crowds. Long queues of devotees stretched out even at the local temples in every neighborhood with massive pandals erected, and security forces maintained, ensuring the day passed without a hitch.

For many, the festival was not just about temple visits, but deeply rooted traditions carried out at home. Sharing her family’s routine, M. Manjula, a resident of Alwal in Secunderabad said, “After attending the Rudra Abhishekam in our local temple, we continue our prayers at home and fast until the next morning.” She smiled, adding, “Sleep gets the better of me sometimes, so I start preparing food in the afternoon itself. We spend the night chatting as a family – it makes fasting easier.” As evening set in, homes and communities prepared for an all-night vigil. Some apartment complexes and gated communities came alive with cultural programs, where children dressed as Shiva and Parvati re-enacted divine tales. Others chose quieter celebrations, setting up spaces for chanting mantras and meditation.

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