Devotees flock to Shiva Temples in Hyderabad for Maha Shivaratri
Hyderabad: Devotees gathered at Shiva Temples across Hyderabad early on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, to celebrate Maha Shivaratri. People of all ages, from women and children to men, visited the temples in traditional attire to offer prayers and worship Lord Shiva.
Major temples in Hyderabad and surrounding areas, including the famed Ramalingeshwara temple atop Keesaragutta, saw a surge in visitors. Special arrangements were made to accommodate the large number of devotees. The temples were adorned with vibrant decorations, floral arrangements, and colorful lights in preparation for the festival.
Markets were bustling with activity as people bought fruits and flowers for the occasion. The Shiva temples in Keesaragutta and Tappachabutra made elaborate provisions to manage the crowds. Pandals were set up, and basic amenities like drinking water were provided to ensure the comfort of the visitors.
On the occasion of Shivaratri, the demand for fruits and flowers surged, leading to a sharp rise in prices. Traders took advantage of this high demand, selling items at inflated prices, making it difficult for some devotees to purchase what they needed for the festival. Prices for fruits and flowers, including grapes, apples, and jasmine, have increased significantly, with some items now being sold at double the price compared to previous days. The rise in prices has led to devotees buying smaller quantities of these offerings.
Significance of Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri, observed annually between February and March, is a significant Hindu festival honoring the deity Shiva. It falls on the fourteenth day of the first half of the lunar month of Phalguna, which typically coincides with the waning moon. The festival celebrates the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and marks the night when Shiva is believed to perform his divine dance, the Tandava.
Maha Shivaratri is an important festival in Shaivism, and unlike most Hindu festivals, it is observed at night. Devotees mark the occasion through fasting, chanting prayers, meditation, and maintaining an all-night vigil in Shiva temples. The festival symbolizes the victory over darkness and ignorance, both in the world and in one’s life. Devotees offer fruits, flowers, milk, and sweets to Shiva, and some engage in Vedic or Tantric worship. The sacred Panchakshara mantra, “Om Namah Shivaya,” is recited throughout the day, and hymns such as the Shiva Chalisa are chanted to honor the deity.
Maha Shivaratri is a time for introspection, self-discipline, and spiritual reflection. While some devotees go on pilgrimages to Jyotirlingams, others perform rituals at home or in temples to celebrate the occasion.
