Mahasivaratri, the night of Lord Siva , was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervour across Prakasam district on Wednesday.
Waking up early in the morning, devotees thronged major Siva temples in the district, including the Kasivisveswara temple at Chennakesavapet here, Mahasahasralinga Samedha Dwadasa Jyothirlinga kshetram at Santhapet here and Bramarambha Samedha Pasupathi temple on the banks of Rangarayudu Chervu here for witnessing ''Panchamrutha Snanam'' and perform 'Bilwarchana' to the Lord.
People in large numbers waited for their turn to offer worship to the 1,116 Sivalingas at Jambulapalem near Tangutur. The faithfuls particularly women in large numbers thronged, among other Siva temples, the Amarlingeswaraswamy temple at Manetikota in Ulavpadu mandal, Pathala Nageswaraswamy temple at Giddalur, Ramakoteswaraswamy temple at Chinnaganjam, Lingothbava swamy temple at Chadalawada and the Eswara temple at Tripuranthakam.
Travelling by foot, people from far and near congregated at Bhairavakona, the natural cave temple named after ''Kala Bhairava'' in Ambapuram in Chandrasekarapuram mandal to offer special prayers to the Lord for salvation.
The devotees observed fast, chanted ''Om Namasivaya'', performed Bhajans and maintained night vigil for ''Lingothbhav'' darshan at midnight seeking the blessings of the almighty.
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) pressed into service about 500 special bus services as Siva worshippers also travelled to neighbouring Kurnool and Guntur districts for offering worship at Srisailam and Kotappakonda on the occasion.
