Mahashivaratri approaches

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Shivaratri: Banishing Darkness from our Lives

Daijiworld.com

Mangalore, Mar 4, 2008

 

Lord Shiva occupies a central role in Hinduism. Shiva is

usually worshipped in the form of 'linga' - symbolizing

'purusha'. While most festivals are celebrated at daytime,

Shivaratri is celebrated at night as Lord Shiva saved the

universe from darkness.

 

The 14th day of every month, Krishna Chaturdasi, is

Shivaratri. But during the month of Magha, the day is

observed as Mahashivaratri.

 

On this day, Lord Shiva drank poison, halahala, which

emerged during churning the ocean of milk. With this, He

saved the universe. Lord Shiva also married Goddess

Parvati on this day and performed Shiva Tandava Nrtya,

better known as Natyasastra.

 

The main themes of the festival are ahmisa, satya,

compassion and forgiveness, and absence of jealousy.

Devotees worship by fasting and jagarana (keeping vigil in

at night).

 

On this day, the 'linga' is bathed with panchamruta - a

mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey. This is

accompanied by chanting of Vedic hymns (chanting of

Rudra Mantra), and showering the 'linga' with 'bhila patre'

and flowers.

 

Next day morning, the fast is broken after making offerings

to the God. Next, devotees perform the Rudra Homa at

temples and homes. Delicious food is prepared and offered

as 'naivedhyam' to the deity. Later, it's distributed to

devotees as 'annadhanam'. By worshipping Lord Shiva, one

attains peace and prosperity and is absolved of sins.

 

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Mangalore gears up for Shivaratri

 

Mangalore

March 3, 2008

 

Mangaloreans are gearing up to celebrate Maha Shivaratri

and seek blessings from Shiva who is also known as the

destroyer of evil. Shivaratri is a night of worship for Lord

Shiva, one of the Hindu Trinity and it is being observed and

celebrated with traditional gaiety and splendour at one of the

most important temples in Mangalore city, Kudroli

Gokarnath Temple.

 

Shivaratri is being celebrated by Hindus across the country

with each community having an unique tradition. The

cultural diversity of different communities marks the

celebrations with different styles. While some devotees

observe this day with great significance and abstain from

food and sleep, while chanting the name of Lord Shiva, it is

also an auspicious occasion for women to pray for the birth

of a child as Lord Shiva is considered as the symbol of

fertility and young girls pray to Lord Shiva for the perfect

groom.

 

Gokarnanatheshwara temple here in the city [Mangalore],

where Lord Shiva is being worshipped as a main deity is

already sporting a festive look with entire temple precinct

being lit up with multi coloured lights. The local populace

and the devotees have started pouring in large numbers to

offer their obeisance to Lord Shiva. Various cultural

programmes also have been arranged as part of the

celebrations.

 

Special pujas including Lokakalyanartha pooja,

Siyalabhisheka and other religious programmes are being

arranged on March 6, 2008. Overwhelming devotion could

be seen with thousands of devotees being visiting this

temple since early morning on this day and offer poojas to

the Lingam which will be washed and smeared with milk,

curd, honey etc. Devotees will observe Jagaran where the

lingam will be worshipped throughout the night with

bhajans and chanting of the mantra " Om Namah Shivaya " .

 

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