With only a day to go for the Maha Shivaratri festival, the pilgrim footfall is gradually picking up at the Saivite shrines of Srikalahasti in Tirupati district and Srisailam in Nandyal district.
Many devotees trek from the foot of the Srisailam hillock to reach the temple atop the hill and offer prayers on the auspicious day, clad in saffron clothes.