Mysore/Mysuru: Various pujas and special decorations marked the celebration of Mahashivarathri at various temples in the district on Friday.

Sri Trineshwaraswamy Temple near Jayamarthanda Gate in Mysore Palace premises, 101 Shivalingas at Gurukula and Kameshwara Kameshwari Temple, both on Ramanuja Road, Mahalingeshwara Swamy Temple at Lingambudhi Lake, Mahabaleshwara Swamy Temple atop Chamundi Hill, Chandramouleshwara Swamy Temple at V.V. Mohalla, Mahadeshwara Swamy Temples in various parts of the city and district attracted devotees in large numbers, where some of them did jaagarane (night vigil by staying awake overnight) to complete the ritual.

Sri Trineshwaraswamy Temple at Mysore Palace where the idol of Linga is decorated with Chinnada Kolaga (Golden Mask) only during Mahashivarathri was the cynosure of all the eyes. The temple was open for darshan from 6 am to wee hours next day. To supplement religious fervour, the imposing Palace was also illuminated from 7 pm to 10 pm.

As is the tradition, the first puja to presiding deity was conducted in the name of Wadiyars, the erstwhile rulers of Mysore. Titular head of Mysore Royal Family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, accompanied by his wife Trishikha Kumari and son Aadyaveer  also had the darshan of presiding deity.

Mahadeswhara Swamy Temples on Mysuru-T. Narasipura Road,  Sunnadakeri, Halladakeri, Paduvarahalli and K.T. Street, also attracted devotees in large numbers. Haalaravi Utsava was celebrated at Mahadeshwara Temples in rural areas like Moodalahundi, Badagalahundi and other villages in the surroundings.

Suttur Mutt at the foot of Chamundi Hill, Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram on Nanjangud Road, Yoganarasimhaswamy Temple at Vijayanagar in the city also saw a steady flow of devotees.

As part of Mahashivarathri, Sri Kanyakaparameshwari Temple Trust, Ashoka Road in the city, has organised ‘Eka Dasha Rudra Mahadarshan’ at Kannika Mahal. The visitors can see various forms of Linga recreated using thermocol by artistes, in the backdrop of special lighting arrangements. The visitors can have the darshan till Mar. 11 between 8 am and 8.30 pm, according to S.K. Dinesh President of the Temple Trust.