Vemulawada, Feb 15: Telangana resonated with the divine chants of “Om Namah Shivaya” today, February 15, 2026, as millions of devotees converged on Shiva temples across the state to celebrate Maha Shivaratri. From the historic shrines in the northern districts to the hill temples on the outskirts of Hyderabad, a sea of humanity began forming queues during the early hours of the “Brahmamuhurtham.” The state government, in coordination with the Endowments Department, made extensive arrangements to manage the massive influx of pilgrims, with priests performing special Abhishekams, Archanas, and Maharudrabhishekams while devotees observed day-long fasts and prepared for the traditional “Jaagaram” (night vigil).
Major temples across the state witnessed record-breaking turnouts this year. The Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple in Vemulawada, often referred to as “Dakshina Kashi,” saw an estimated 3 lakh devotees by late evening. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar offered “Pattu Vastrams” (silk clothes) to the deity on behalf of the state government, honoring a long-standing tradition. Similarly, the Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple at Keesaragutta, a popular destination for those in the Hyderabad metropolitan region, recorded approximately 3 lakh pilgrims. Authorities there implemented a one-kilometer security radius and provided drinking water to those waiting in sprawling queue lines.
Other prominent shrines also reported significant participation as the day progressed. The Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, situated at the unique confluence of the Godavari and Pranahita rivers, saw over 1.5 lakh people taking holy dips before seeking darshan. In Siddipet district, the Komuravelli Mallanna Swamy Temple hosted over 80,000 devotees, while the historic Thousand Pillars Temple in Hanamkonda welcomed roughly 60,000 visitors. Although located in neighboring Andhra Pradesh, the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple remained a primary spiritual hub for Telangana residents, with nearly 2 lakh pilgrims—including over 50,000 Shiva Deeksha devotees—completing their prayers by mid-day.
To support this massive movement of people, the TGSRTC operated 2,243 special buses to 43 major Shaiva Kshetras, ensuring accessibility for those traveling from remote areas. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Governor Jishnu Dev Varma extended their greetings to the citizens, praying for the state’s prosperity. Security remained a top priority, with over 10,000 police personnel deployed state-wide to oversee crowd control and ensure that the spiritual festivities concluded peacefully across all districts.
