Visakhapatnam’s Mahasivaratri: 2 Lakh at 41st Maha Kumbhabhishekam
Visakhapatnam’s Mahasivaratri: 2 Lakh at 41st Maha Kumbhabhishekam
Visakhapatnam buzzes with Mahasivaratri as 2 lakh devotees join the 41st Maha Kumbhabhishekam at RK Beach, with abhishekam to one crore Siva Lingas under tight security.
Devotion and spiritual fervour marked Mahasivaratri celebrations across Visakhapatnam on Sunday, as priests chanted Vedic hymns at major Siva temples. The 41st Maha Kumbhabhishekam at RK Beach stood out as the weekend’s centerpiece, with an estimated two lakh devotees gathering along Beach Road for the Kotilingalu ceremony. The atmosphere blended reverence with a carnival-like energy as families and pilgrims moved between temples and the coast, soaking in the festival’s spiritual rhythm.
Organisers performed abhishekam to one crore Siva Lingas using holy water drawn from sacred rivers across the country, a spectacle that drew attendees from across the region. The scale of the ritual underscored the city’s devotion to Lord Shiva and highlighted the festival’s traditional rituals, even as security preparations for the ongoing International Fleet Review reassured participants and visitors alike. To manage the crowds, authorities deployed drone surveillance and around 8,000 police personnel, ensuring smooth movement and safeguarding the confluence of naval visitors with those drawn to the spiritual gatherings. The coordinated effort helped preserve a solemn yet celebratory mood along RK Beach and nearby temples.
Earlier in the weekend, the Brahma Kumaris organisation in Murali Nagar underscored the peak of spiritual activities, while the Dvadasa Jyotirlingas exhibition opened to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, inviting devotees to witness the installations and contemplate the 12 sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. The display complemented the main rituals, offering a reflective space amid the festival’s sweeping celebrations. As night fell, the city glowed with chants, lamplight, and the echo of prayers, signaling a successful culmination of the Maha Shivaratri weekend in Visakhapatnam.
City officials and religious leaders emphasised that the celebrations are both a demonstration of devotion and a showcase of Visakhapatnam’s cultural fabric. Attendees and onlookers alike spoke of a peaceful atmosphere and a shared sense of purpose, describing the weekend as a rare convergence of faith, heritage, and civic harmony that highlighted the city’s role as a spiritual as well as a cultural hub.
