Hectic Mahashivratri preps start at Kashi Vishwanath

Varanasi: Before commencing preparations for Mahashivratri at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Ganesh Ji Maharaj was worshipped on Friday according to proper rituals and prayers were offered to the remover of obstacles, seeking permission to begin the festival. After the worship of Lord Ganesh, the Mahashivratri festival officially commenced at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham.According to the temple authorities from Saturday Rudrabhishek will be performed on all principal deities in the temple to awaken them. All deities will be invoked and invited to participate in the festival and bless the devotees.The sacred festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated with devotion and joy as Lord Shiva's wedding celebration. On this holy occasion, this year Kashi is going to witness a special and innovative tradition. Decoration and worship materials will be received as offerings for Baba Vishwanath from Mathura Shri Krishna Janmasthan.Last year, at the Rangbhari Ekadashi festival, an innovation of religious and cultural exchange was initiated between Kashi and Mathura. Similarly, through the sacred pilgrimage water scheme, the innovation of redefining the relationship between Kashi and Rameshwaram Dham also began. This year's innovation of sending offerings from Krishna Janmabhoomi to Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev on Mahashivratri, and sending gifts from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev to Laddu Gopal on Krishna Janmashtami, will be a new chapter.