Shiva temples decked up for Maha Shivaratri celebrations in Srikakulam

One of India’s most ancient temples, the Srimukhalingeswara Swamy temple, is geared up to celebrate Maha Shivaratri on February 15, Sunday. Over 50,000 devotees are expected to offer special prayers in the temple after taking a holy bath in the Vamsadhara river, which is near to the temple premises. The temple which is called Dakshina Kasi (South India’s Varanasi) constructed during the regime of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the 8th century wore a festive look ahead of Maha Shivaratri   Pilgrims from Odisha will also visit the temple.

Srimukhalingam temple’s head priest Naidugari Rajasekhar extended an invitation in a traditional manner to the temple’s trustee Kalyani Gajapathi in Parlakhemundi of Odisha. She directed the temple authorities to make foolproof arrangements for devotees to have a hassle-free darshan. Other temples such as Endala Mallikarjuna Swamy temple of Ravivalasa, Umarudra Koteswara Alayaram and Shiva Balaji temple of Srikakulam city will also witness a huge rush of devotees on the auspicious day.

APSRTC will operate 40 special bus services to Lord Shiva temples. Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar and other officials reviewed the arrangements at the temples in the backdrop of a stampede that took place at the Lord Venkateswara temple of Kasibugga in Srikakulam district on November 1, 2025. Mr.Swapnil directed all the concerned departments to coordinate with each other to ensure devotees have a hassle-free darshan of the presiding deities in the temples.