Devotees take in the spiritual essence of Mahashivaratri

Caption: Devotees perform puja to Shivalinga at the historic Someshwar temple in DharwadDharwad: In the soft glow of oil lamps and the rhythmic echo of sacred chants, the night of devotion unfolded across Dharwad on Sunday as thousands of devotees immersed themselves in the spiritual essence of Mahashivaratri, turning the city into a tapestry of faith, music and tradition.At the heart of the celebrations stood the historic Someshwar Temple. Believed to date back to the 13th century, the temple's ancient stone walls witnessed an ocean of devotees who queued up from the early hours of dawn. The fragrance of incense, the steady ringing of temple bells and the continuous chanting of mantras created an atmosphere of reverence.Devotees, dressed in traditional attire, carried offerings of milk, water and bael leaves — sacred symbols of purity and devotion. The ritual of pouring these offerings over the Shivalinga was performed. Many observed day-long fasts, breaking them only with fruits and dry fruits.Across neighbourhoods including Koppadakeri, Ravivarpet, Jayanagar, Haliyal road and Jakani Bhavi, temples came alive with devotional songs and community gatherings. Women, in particular, marked the festival with special prayers, seeking harmony, prosperity and family well-being. As dusk gave way to night, the celebrations intensified. Special pujas continued through the night, accompanied by continuous chanting of holy mantras.Cultural devotion found expression through music and dance as Mahila Mandals organised bhajan and devotional dance programmes within temple premises. The devotional gatherings strengthened community bonds, bringing together people across age groups in collective worship.The spiritual celebrations extended into musical devotion at Mudi Maruti Temple in Mangalwarpeth, where a night-long classical and devotional music programme ‘Shivasphurti' captivated audiences. Beginning in the evening and continuing till dawn, the performances by noted vocalists and musicians transformed the temple premises into a musical arena. Meanwhile, local fruit and dry fruit vendors witnessed brisk business as fasting devotees relied on fruits for sustenance, pushing demand — and prices — significantly higher.