Prayers,celebrations mark Mahashivaratri

The festival is usually celebrated on the 13th or 14th day of the Krishna Paksh in the month of Maagha or Phalgun (February-March),according to the Hindu calendar. It is believed in Hindu mythology that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this day and the celebrations mark their union.

Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandir in Sector 27 opened its doors to devotees at 4 in the morning.

Priests performed the rudra mahayagya and rudra abhishek. According to the general secretary of the mandir,Sanjeev Sharma,the number of devotees saw an increase in comparison to last year.

Shri Sanatan Dharma Sabha,Sector 50,Sadar Bazar Association in Sector 19 and the Shiv Parvati Sewa Sadan also celebrated the festival.

The ancient temple in Saketri,which is believed to be constructed during the time of the Pandavas,saw serpentine queues of devotees,many of them kanwarias who had brought along water from the Ganges to offer to the Lord.

With a few people lining up outside the temple premises from Thursday night itself,the devotion and faith in the air was palpable. Those who were observing a fast too did not mind waiting for hours to seek blessings.

“I came here around eight in the morning and knew that it will take a few hours before I offer obeisance to Lord Shiva. But I am happy that I made it to the temple despite the rush,” said Gunjan,a student of Panjab University.

More than 20 eminent leaders of different faiths converged at the Rajyoga Bhawan in Sector 33-A where they were felicitated by Brahma Kumaris on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri.

Brahma Kumaris’ zonal chief Rajyogini Achal Didi and B K Amir Chand,national vice-chairperson of the social service wing of the institution,hoisted a flag.

Speaking on the occasion,Imam Ajmal Khan of Jama Masjid,Sector 20,said peace is the need of the hour and such inter-faith conventions should be held frequently.

Father Joseph from the Catholic Church in Sector 19 was also present.

Brahma Kumaris began the celebrations with a spiritual discourse. A colorful Shivratri prabhatpheri was also taken out.

In Mohali too,the festival was celebrated with traditional gaiety and religious fervour. It was an early start to the day for Shiva devotees with ritual bathing and prayers to celebrate the occasion. Shoba yatras were also taken out in different parts of the district wherein tableaux depicted the marriage of Lord Shiva.

Children,dressed as gods and goddess,were the centre of attraction. Temples held special functions to mark the occasion. The district police had made elaborate security arrangements around the main temples as a precautionary measure.