Mahashivaratri celebrated with devotion across Belagavi

Caption: Shivaratri's festive atmosphere in BelagaviBelagavi: Mahashivaratri was observed with immense fervour across Belagavi on Sunday. Thousands visited the Yadur Veerabhadreshwara Temple, the ancient Someshwar Temple in Sogal, and the Siddheshwar Temple in Kakati. Long queue was found outside the historic Kapileshwar Temple in the city, and at the 78ft-tall Shiva statue in Mullur Gudda and Naganur Rudrakshimuth and Hukkeri Hiremath.Thousands of devotees visited the famous Shiva temples across the district. Shiva temples across the district reverberated the panchaksari mantra, ‘Om Namah Shivaya'. As part of the festivities, devotees flooded the temples, and devotion was expressed through fasting, abhisheka, bhajan, rudrabhisheka, and other special poojas, and parayana (scripture reading). Various cultural programmes including the chanting of shiva bhajanas, lingashtakam, and shiva tandava stotram were organised.The celebrations in Belagavi are deeply rooted in tradition and attract visitors from all over the region, including parts of Maharashtra and Goa. The highlight was the 78 ft tall statue of Lord Shiva at Mullur Gudda, near Ramdurg town, a major attraction for during Mahashivaratri.The swayambhu linga at Kapileshwar Temple, Shahapur, Military Mahadev Temple, Yadur Veerabhadreshwara Temple, on the banks of the Krishna River, and Siddheshwar Temple (Kanabargi and Kakati) were heavily crowded.Shivaratri vigil was organised at the crematorium in Shahpur, Belagavi. The beautiful garden at the cemetery is highly appreciated by the people. Social workers established the Mukti Dham Seva Sudharana Mandal 28 years ago and built and maintained a Shiva temple. Every year, thousands of devotees gather and the cemetery on Mahashivaratri. Special bhajan programme was organised by women's groups to mark this year's Jagarane.