Mangaluru: Mahashivaratri was observed in the coastal districts on Sunday, with rituals conducted in temples. Devotees in large numbers thronged Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatha Temple, Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple, Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple, Puttur Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, and other shrines in Dakshina Kannada district.Serpentine queues were seen in front of the temples, especially at Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, Kadri Temple, and Kudroli Temple. Devotees offered ‘Bilva Patra’ and performed abhisheka to the Shivlinga at Kadri Temple.Thousands of devotees walked from various parts of the state and outside to Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.“During Shivaratri, thousands of devotees come to Dharmasthala on a pilgrimage with faith and devotion. They should leave behind all their sins here and strive to live a meaningful life as civilised individuals,” said Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade of Dharmasthala.Congratulating the pilgrims, Heggade said that Lord Manjunathaswamy, known as ‘Vishakantha’, has the power to accept all faults and work for the welfare of the world. “Devotees come to Dharmasthala to pray for the salvation of those who died in accidents and untimely deaths. More benefits are reaped when a pilgrimage is undertaken selflessly with faith and devotion. It is commendable that women are also actively participating,” Heggade said.He also extended special congratulations to the devotees from Bengaluru.The annual festival was held as part of Mahashivaratri at Kudroli temple. Various rituals, including ‘Umamaheshwara homa’, ‘Maha rudrabhisheka’, ‘Siyalabhisheka’, ‘Seva rathotsava’, ‘Vishnubali utsava’, ‘Rathotsava’, and ‘Mahashivaratri jagarane’, were held at the temple.Other rituals were observed at Sri Kalikamba Vinayaka Temple, Attavara Sri Umamaheshwara Temple, Someshwara Sri Somanatha Temple, Kavoor Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Pandeshwara Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Uppinangady Sri Sahasralingeshwara Temple, and other shrines in DK district. KSRTC operated special services to major temples for the convenience of devotees.
