Mysuru: Thousands of devotees thronged Shiva temples across the city to have darshan and to offer special pujas on Mahashivaratri that was celebrated with religious fervour and traditional gaiety yesterday. Fasting, prayers and vigil marked the celebrations with devotees making a beeline for major pilgrim centres associated with Shaivism. Devotees were seen standing in long queues at Kama-Kameshwari temple on Ramanuja Road, 108 Linga temple at Gurukula, Chandramouleshwara temple at Mathrumandali Circle, Suttur Mutt's branch at foot of Chamundi Hill, Kuderu Mutt and other Mutts in the city observed Shivaratri in a grand manner. Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji of Avadhoota Datta Peetha placed the spatika linga atop the gold-plated pedestal and performed special abhishekas and pujas. Mahabaleshwara temple atop the Chamundi Hill, Maruti temple near T.K. Layout also drew a large number of devotees throughout the day.
