Andhra Pradesh: Priests at the Srikalahasti temple allegedly misguided devotees who were waiting to offer prayers during the auspicious Lingodbhavam period. Devotees believe that having a darshan of Lord Shiva during Lingodbhavam (emergence of the Linga) is most auspicious and they throng Shiva temples to witness the ritual performed after midnight.

As per the tradition, 11 abhishekams are performed on the presiding deity and the darshan after the last abhishekam is considered very auspicious.

In Srikalahasti, priests told the waiting devotees that the ritual was over after the tenth abhishekam, and they gave the opportunity for having the darshan after the eleventh abhishekam only to VIPs. Some devotees allegedly argued with the priests, but the latter ignored them.

Sources in the temple said that the ritual had begun half-an-hour behind schedule because of the late arrival of chief priest Babu Gurukul.

When contacted, temple EO B. Rami Reddy said that there is no specific time for Lingodbh-avam and the abhishekams are performed first to the Goddess and then to the deity on Shivaratri. There were no VIPs except some judicial officials during the abhishekams and general devotees were allowed after the eleventh abhishekam. The only confusion here was delay in performing the last abhishekam and this was due to the late arrival of the chief priest.