Mahashivaratri: Thousands likely to throng city temples tomorrow

Patna: Preparations are in full swing for the grand celebrations of Mahashivaratri festival across the state capital on March 8. Many temples in the city are being given a fresh coat of paint and decorated with colourfull lights for the occasion. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Shiva married Godess Parvati on this night. It is a celebration of their divine union that the day is celebrated as 'The Night of Lord Shiva'.

Famous temples, including Khajpura Shiv Mandir at Bailey Road, Gauri Shankar Mandir at Gai Ghat, Boring Road Shiva Temple, Mahavir Mandir at Patna Junction, are all geared up for the celebrations.

Digha MLA, Sanjiv Chaurasia said, “Altogether 27 ‘shobha yatras’, showcasing various aspects of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, will be taken out by members of different puja committees in the city. Tableaux based on the theme of ‘Divya Kashi-Bhavya Kashi’ and Ram Temple of Ayodhya will be displayed during the processions. Besides, cultural programmess, evening bhajan, ‘tandav dance’ and Ganga aarti will also be organised at several places. Invitations have been sent to the governor, chief minister as well as ministers of the central and state governments to attend the ceremonies.”

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“As many devotees perform rituals like ‘rudrabhishek’ on this occasion. A total of 45 devotees have booked slots for the rituals at Mahavir Mandir near Patna Junction. The Rudrabhishek will take place at the temple from 5am to 10pm. However, according to the Hindu mythology, it should be performed till the midnight of Mahashivratri. A large number of devotees are likely to arrive on this occasion, and keeping this in mind, a counter of prasad and flowers has been set up on the temple premises. The temple’s eastern side gate will also be opened for people on this day,” said Acharya Kishore Kunal, secretary of Mahavir Mandir Trust.

Priest of Boring Road Shiva Mandir, Ganesh Maharaj said the doors of the temple would open for the devotees from 4am on this day. “There will be ‘maha aarti’ at 7.30pm, Rudrabhishek at 8pm and Shiva Parvati auspicious marriage at 10pm. Lord Shiva and Parvati idols will be adorned with flowers from Kolkata. Artisans will also come from there to decorate them. Prasad of milk-makhana will be distributed among the devotees,” the priest added.

According to the puja committee of Gauri Shankar Temple at Gai Ghat, preparations at the temple are at their peak. The painting of the temple has been done. Maha Abhishek will start from 5am on the day of Shivratri. A ‘bhandara’ will also be organised in the evening in which prasad like puri, kheer, vegetable, bundiya, etc. will be distributed to the devotees. Rudrabhishek will start at the temple from 4am and continue whole day except the time of Lord's aarti and bhog.