Mysuru: Mahashivaratri, a major Hindu festival that takes place annually in honour of Lord Shiva, will be celebrated at all Shiva temples across the city tomorrow.
As part of the celebrations, the 108 Shivalingas at Sri Shaivashilpi Brahmarshi Gurukula on Ramanuja Road were cleaned as a precursor to the rituals.
The pujas will commence with Rudrabhisheka tomorrow morning, followed by Laksha Bilwapatre Abhisheka and other rituals.
At the historic Kamakameshwari Temple on Ramanuja Road, the rituals will commence with the performance of Eka Dashavatara Rudrabhisheka to the deity at 8.30 am, followed by Utsava of the deity at 12 noon and Mahamangalarati at 12.30 pm. Cultural programmes will follow the rituals.
At 101 Ganapathy Temple in Agrahara, the rituals will commence with Tailabhisheka to all the deities in the temple, followed by Panchamrutha Abhisheka, Ekawara Rudrabhisheka to Shivalingas and other rituals.
108 Shivalingas at Gurukula on Ramanuja Road being cleaned on the eve of Mahashivaratri.
At Sri Chandramouleshwara Temple, Matru Mandali Circle, Vontikoppal, the rituals will commence with Abhishekha to Lord Shiva at 8.30 am. Several cultural programmes such as mass singing will be performed at the temple as part of Mahashivaratri, the festival of all night vigil. On Feb. 14 morning, the traditional Rajabeedi Utsava will be taken out in the main thoroughfares of Vontikoppal.
Golden Mask
As part of the celebrations at Trinayaneshwara Swamy Temple, popularly known as Trineshwara Swamy Temple in the Mysore Palace premises, the 11-kg Golden Mask (Chinnada Kolaga) of Lord Shiva was brought from the District Treasury amidst tight security this morning in the presence of Chamundi Hill Temple EO K.M. Prasad and Muzrai Tahsildar S.N. Yathiraju.
The Golden Mask will be placed on the deity at 6.30 am tomorrow, following which the temple will be opened for devotees. The rituals to be performed at the temple include Mahanyasa puja, Rudrabhisheka, Ashtothara, Panchamrutha Abhisheka and Mahamangalarati.
The Golden Mask will be taken back to the District Treasury in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner and other authorities at 11 am on Feb. 14.
Ahead of Mahashivaratri, all the Shiva Temples were specially decorated thus giving a festive look. The festival will be celebrated by chanting of prayers, fasting, meditation etc.
Security arrangements
Police have made elaborate security arrangements with special squads moving around the city keeping a close vigil. Barricades are also erected in front of prominent temples to ensure hassle-free visit for devotees.
To ensure peaceful and incident free conduct of Shivaratri, the city Police have issued a few guidelines. Womenfolk have been urged not to move around exposing ornaments.
The Police have warned against destroying public property, gambling and use of loud speakers in the night.
look at these people. “Cleaning” shivalingas with water hose standing along in trousers? who are these people, do they even consider these 102 murthis are shiva or not? What the heck happened to sradha, achara and soucha? And, I always wonder why brahmin priests in shiva temples are not wearing shika, pancha, tripundra bhasma etc properly.