Hyderabad celebrates Shivaratri: Devotees flock to temples amid festive arrangements

Major temples in Hyderabad and its outskirts have begun witnessing a significant influx of devotees. Extensive arrangements have been made at the renowned Ramalingeshwara temple atop Keesaragutta, which attracts a large number of worshippers.

Hyderabad: Devotees thronged temples from the early hours of Wednesday to worship Lord Shiva and celebrate Shivaratri. From the break of the dawn, families, attired in their traditional best, started making preparations to visit their nearest temples, which were decked-up on the occasion.

Major temples in Hyderabad and outskirts started receiving a large number of devotees. Elaborate arrangements were made at the famed Ramalingeshwara temple atop Keesaragutta which draws devotees in large numbers.

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Vendors made a brisk business with fruits, bael leaves, flowers etc. Various residential welfare associations, colony welfare organisations and youth clubs planned religious sermons and cultural programs through the night during Jagaran.

Meanwhile, the police made elaborate arrangements for the festival at the places of worship and to streamline the vehicular movement on roads leading to major temples.

Rachakonda Police Commissioner G Sudheer Babu supervised the arrangements for the Brahmotsavam being held on the occasion of Mahashivratri at the Keesara temple on Wednesday. A total of 2,500 officers and staff of the civil and traffic departments not only from Rachakonda Police Commissionerate but also from Hyderabad and Cyberabad Commissionerates were deployed for security duties.

He also personally administered first-aid to a person who unexpectedly injured his leg at the temple premises. The devotee was immediately sent to the hospital in an ambulance for treatment.