Maha Shivratri: Devotees throng to temples across India

Thiruvananthapuram/Bhopal, Mar 1 (UNI) Devotees thronged Shiva temples in Kerala to offer their obeisance and performed special poojas on Maha Shivratri on Tuesday. Major Shiva temples including Sree Kandeswaram and Kushakkod Shiva temples in Thiruvananthapuram, Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, Maha Deva Temple at Vaikom and Shiva temple at Ettumanur in Kottayam, Ernakulam Shiva Temple have witnessed heavy rush from early this morning. Special poojas and programs are being conducted in many Ashrams including Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi Math at Karunagappally in Kollam. Spiritual Guru Mata Amritanandamayi Mayi Devi who is also known as hugging saint, tweeted that “Shiva is the Supreme Consciousness that illuminates the three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep.” “Shivaratri is one of the greatest festivals of India. It conveys a message of knowledge and perseverance, reminding us to awaken and take a lifelong vow to attain Self-realization,” she added. Meanwhile, thousands of devotees offered ‘Bali Tharpanam’ to the departed souls of their ancestors on the banks of Periyar River at Aluva Shiva temple in Ernakulam District, Parasurama temple at Thiruvallam here and Thirunelly temple in Wayanad. Travancore Devaswom Board has made elaborate arrangements for ‘Bali Tarpanam’ on the banks of rivers to perform the ritual and hundreds of priests have been deployed to assist devotees. Performing the ritual on the midnight of Shivratri is considered auspicious by the devotees. Hundreds of police personnel were deployed to take care of the security situation. Cultural programs are also being organized in many temples as part of Maha Shivaratri.

Devotees also throng in Indore. Prayag Raj, Somnath and other Shiv temples across the country on the auspicious day Maha Shivratri.