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Mangaluru/Udupi: On the occasion of Mahashivaratri, various religious programmes will be held on Sunday at most Shiva temples across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

At Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple in Dakshina Kannada, special poojas will begin in the morning. At Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, Maha Rudrabhisheka, Shata Seeyalabhisheka, night-long Mahashivaratri vigil, Rathotsava and Keredeepa will be conducted. Religious and cultural programmes will also be held at Kavoor Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Pandeswara Mahalingeshwara Temple and several other temples in the city.

At Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatha Temple, more than one lakh devotees from across the state are expected to participate in the Mahashivaratri celebrations on February 15. All arrangements have been made for devotees, including those arriving on foot. Dharmadhikari Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade will inaugurate the Shiva Panchakshari chanting at 6 pm at the discourse hall in front of the temple. Continuous chanting by devotees will follow throughout the night.

At Karinjeshwara Temple in Bantwal taluk, the annual fair has already begun, and special religious programmes will be held for Shivaratri. Special poojas and night vigil will also take place at Narahari Parvatha Kshetra. Celebrations are scheduled at Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple, Uppinangady Sahasralingeshwara Temple, Vittal Panchalingeshwara Temple, Bantwal Mahalingeshwara Temple, Kepu Khandiga Shiva Kshetra and Odyur Sri Gurudevadatta Samsthana. Flower sales were brisk on Saturday ahead of the festival.

In Udupi district as well, Mahashivaratri will be celebrated with special poojas, bhajans, cultural programmes and night-long vigil at Shiva temples. Arrangements have been completed for the celebrations.

Special programmes will be held at Anantheshwara Temple, Chandramouleshwara Temple, Bannanje Mahalingeshwara Temple, Shivapadi Uma Maheshwara Temple, Parkala Mahalingeshwara Temple, Belkal Mahalingeshwara Temple and Kodavoor Shankaranarayana Temple, among others.