Shiva – the Adiyogi
Shiv Ratri
A 24 hour long puja dedicated to Lord
Shiva marks Maha Shivratri. The festival marks the 14th day
(Chaturdashi) of the Magha month (Jan-Feb). The day marks introspective fast,
puja, yoga and self restraint, non – injury to others and the discovery of
Shiva – the inner strength in one self, overcoming ignorance of the self and
the world. The day is marked by devotees offering puja with fruits, Bel – patta
(leaves of wood apple tree), sweets and a concoction of milk, honey, curd, Ganges
water (ganga jal) and ghee which is poured over the Shivling along with
chanting of “Om Namah Shivay”. Devotees keep an all – night vigil with prayers
or “jagaran”, because it is the night to overcome ignorance and darkness of the
mind and heart. The festival is essentially to remind us of our inner strength,
i.e. Shiva is inside us, Shiva is our inner strength and ability to overcome
all negativity and evil from our hearts and mind. It’s a night of
contemplation, when we are brought to the moment of interval between
destruction and regeneration, when growth erupts out of decay, to unite with
the supreme self.
Shiva in the Tandav form
Mahashivratri also marks diverse and stunning
dance festivals dedicated to the Lord whose dance form of Tandav “or the cosmic
and ecstatic dance of destruction” is also worshipped today. Lord Shiva is also
depicted as the “Nataraj” or the King of Dance”.
Major Hindu
temples such as at Konark, Khajuraho, Pattadakal,
Modhera and Chidambaram conduct historic dance
festivals to mark the day. This
event is called Natyanjali, literally "worship through
dance", at the Chidambaram temple which is famous for its sculpture
depicting all dance mudras in the ancient Hindu text of performance arts
called Natya Shastra.
Mahashivratri is celebrated outside
India in Nepal, Mauritius and the Indo- Caribbean region.
Maha Shivratri celebrations at Kali Mandir, CR Park
The dazzling sun shone down on the vibrant and verdant grounds of Kali Mandir. The sprawling and well manicured front lawns of the complex were bursting with a profusion of colours from more than 100 varieties of Dahlias, chrysanthemums, calendulas, marigold and carnations! Flowers pots were neatly arranged to begin the Annual Flower Show, past of the Maha Shivratri celebrations.
Elaborate and well organised puja proceedings had started from the wee hours of the morning with devotees making a bee line for the Shiv Mandir, waiting patiently to enter the sanctum sanctorum to offer devoutly, a mixture of Ganges water (ganga jal), honey, curd, milk and ghee along with Bel (wood apple) fruits, leaves, sweets and 5 varieties of fruits. Pushpanjali followed with the purohit chanting invocations of the eternal Adiyogi. Prasad was offered to each devotee after the pushpanjali. Puja had however commensed from 10.45 pm the previous night, keeping in view the tradition of offering puja during 4 prahars (each prahar is approx 3 hours long), all night.
The Flower show commenced from 11 am onwards and more than 100 flower pots vied with each other to attract the attention of the judges with their splendid colours, sizes and shapes. In the evening, the entire complex was glowing with 1000 light strings.
Maha Shivratri celebrations at Kali Mandir, CR Park
The dazzling sun shone down on the vibrant and verdant grounds of Kali Mandir. The sprawling and well manicured front lawns of the complex were bursting with a profusion of colours from more than 100 varieties of Dahlias, chrysanthemums, calendulas, marigold and carnations! Flowers pots were neatly arranged to begin the Annual Flower Show, past of the Maha Shivratri celebrations.
Elaborate and well organised puja proceedings had started from the wee hours of the morning with devotees making a bee line for the Shiv Mandir, waiting patiently to enter the sanctum sanctorum to offer devoutly, a mixture of Ganges water (ganga jal), honey, curd, milk and ghee along with Bel (wood apple) fruits, leaves, sweets and 5 varieties of fruits. Pushpanjali followed with the purohit chanting invocations of the eternal Adiyogi. Prasad was offered to each devotee after the pushpanjali. Puja had however commensed from 10.45 pm the previous night, keeping in view the tradition of offering puja during 4 prahars (each prahar is approx 3 hours long), all night.
The Flower show commenced from 11 am onwards and more than 100 flower pots vied with each other to attract the attention of the judges with their splendid colours, sizes and shapes. In the evening, the entire complex was glowing with 1000 light strings.
