Vemulawada Shiv Diksha: Shiv Diksha begins in Vemulawada…hundreds of devotees wearing Shiva garlands
Vemulawada Shivdeeksha: The celebration of Mahashivratri has started in Vemulawada, known as South Kashi. The three-day Mahashivratri celebrations have started from 25th February next month. In honor of Maha Shivaratri, devotees of Shiva wear Shiva Mala and take Mandal Diksha. With 41 days of Mandal Diksha, they engage in Shivanamsmaran following strict rules.
Maladharna in the presence of Rajanna…
At the Abhishekam Mandapam of the Vemulawada Rajanna temple, 300 devotees performed Shiva garlands under the direction of the chief priests of the temple. The priests put Vibhuti Kunkuma on Lord Shiva’s forehead and wore Rudraksh Shiva rosary. Every year before Mahashivratri, garland is offered to Lord Shiva and the garland is retired during Lingodbhava on Shivratri.
There is a tradition of garlanding Lord Shiva every year for 32 years. Devotees believe that if a person takes initiation from Bhagwat, all his faults are removed and he gets wealth and happiness. The best initiation among initiations is Shiva initiation, devotees believe that if one takes the form of Lord Shiva then he will attain salvation. That is why devotees measure the auspiciousness of Lord Shiva. Shivadiksha started in Srisailam and spread to Vemulawada.
strict rules…
Lords who receive Shivadiksha follow strict rules. They worship Lord Shiva and sleep on the ground. They eat food only once and walk without shoes. Dressed in sandalwood colored clothes, Vibhuti on his forehead, saffron sandalwood and Rudrakshmala around his neck. Shiva Diksha Mahamandal is held for 108 days, Mandal Diksha for 41 days, Arthamandal Diksha for 21 days. Archaeologists say that if the rules are followed during initiation, best results are obtained.
A special journey…
On the day of Mahashivratri, special darshan is given to the devotees who take Shiv Diksha. Temple officials will give special darshan to the deities performing Malviraman during Lingodbhava from 8 pm to 9 pm on Shivratri. Shivdiksha Swams, which once numbered in the tens, are increasing every year. At present thousands of people are taking Shiv Diksha. Only 300 people from Vemulawada town took Shiva Diksha. This time it is expected that there will be up to ten thousand Shivdiksha Swami in the entire combined Karimnagar district.
(Reporting by KV Reddy Joint Karimnagar District Correspondent Hindustan Times Telugu)