Special preparations underway at Shiva temples for Mahashivaratri

With the festival of Mahashivaratri just around the corner, Hindu temples across India have braced-up to celebrate the mega fest with utmost devotional fervour. Preparations for celebrations are in full swing at several shrines, but the Banode Mahadev Mandir in Una district of Himachal Pradesh has interesting developments lined-up for the devotees.
News has it that thorough arrangements are being made for the huge number of devotees that are expected to reach this temple on Friday, February 21, the occasion of Mahashivaratri. Reportedly, a swing-bridge has been set-up in the pond. The devotees will have to make their way through the bridge to have darshan of Barfani Baba aka Mahadev. The temple committee has also made provisions for free transport service for the visitors.

On the other hand, there is a temple of Shiva in Kotla village, which is believed to be one of the sites where the Pandava brothers of Mahabharata rested for some time during their exile. An 81 ft statue of Lord Shiva has been erected as an attraction for the festival at this temple.

In addition, special arrangements have been made to feed free meals to all the pilgrims visiting both the Banode Mahadev Temple as well as Kotla Mahadeva Temple on Mahashivaratri. Likewise, festive preparations are in progress at the Sadashiv Temple in Talmehra.

Just the way Mahakal Jyotirlinga at Ujjain is adorned with all the sacred paraphernalia, the Shivling at Banode Mahadev Temple is also decorated in a similar fashion. Mahashivaratri festivities at the Ujjain Mahakal kicked off on February 13, 2020, and will culminate on February 21, 2020.

The significance of Mahashivaratri lies in the fact that on this day, as per the Hindu lunar calendar, Lord Shiva was wedded to Goddess Parvati, the daughter of the holiest mountain, Himalaya.