Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is observed as the “great night of Shiva”. The fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon is known as Shivaratri. It is a major festival and is solemn and marks a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.  Ardent devotees keep awake all night also called “Jaagaran”. Pilgrims visit one of the Shiva temples or go on to Jyothirlingams. This day is celebrated as the wedding day of lord Shiva and Parvati.  Shivratri is supposed to be the night of convergence of Shiva and Shakti, which in essence mean the masculine and feminine energies that balance the world. The following are the various temples in the State where Shivaratri festival is celebrated in the grand manner:Vemulawada is home to one of the famous temples devoted to Lord Shiva in the state of Telangana. Popularly called as Dakshina Kasi, the devotees at this temple worship the presiding deity,Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy. The temple complex is also home to Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi temple and also a holy idol of Sri Laxmi Sahitha Sidhi Vinayaka. The main presiding deity here is also fondly called as Rajanna. The temple is thronged by thousands of devotees during festivals especially Shivarathri and other auspicious occasions. Kaleshwara Mukteshwara Swamy Temple is devoted to the worship of the powerful Lord Shiva. The foremost iconic aspect of this ancient temple is the presence of two Lingams holding onto one pedestal or the Panavattam. The temple gets its name Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy mandiram due to the duel presence of Lord Shiva.   1000 Pillar Temple is considered to be a masterpiece of vishwakarma sthapathis of Kakatiya kingdom. Thousand Pillar Temple has been built in the architectural style similar to Chalukyan temples. It is said to be named after the King Rudra Deva and hence is known as Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple. Thousand Pillar Temple there is a beautifully carved monolith of Nandi who is Lord Shiva’s sacred bull, on a platform.  Ramalingeswara temple which is popularly known as Ramappa Temple dates back to 1213 AD. It was built during the reign of Kakatiya kingdom. Dedicated to Lord Ramalingeswara, it is the said to be the only temple in the country which is known by the name of its sculptor, whose name was Ramappa. Inside the temple, Shivalingam has been placed at a height of 9 feet in garbhagriha.