M'lore: Temples Light Night Sky as Devotees Celebrate Mahashivaratri
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM/AF)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Mar 6: Shivaratri was celebrated with granduer in all the temples dedicated to lord Shiva in the city on Thursday, March 6 evening.
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Maha Shivratri (night of Shiva) is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th night or 14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month Maagha (as per Shalivahana) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu calendar. The most significant practices on this day are offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the lord Shiva, fasting and keeping vigil all night long.
The temples in the city have been adorned with colourful lights and thousands of devotees have been thronging the temples to offer puja to lord Shiva.
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Mahashivaratri is the major festival celebrated here with much pomp and splendor. In some temples, celebrations will go on for five days with 'Tirtha Jagarane,' 'Mitta Jagarane,' 'Rathostava' 'Katte Puja,' 'Dvaja Avarohana' which are the main attractions during this festival.
Temples like Kudroli Shri Gokarnanatheshwar Temple, Mangaladevi Temple, Pandeshwar Shri Mahalingeshwar Temple and Kadri Shri Manjunatheshwar Temple were overcrowded with huge number of devotees on Thursday night. Meanwhile, orchestras too have been organized in many parts of city.
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The image of lord Shiva sculpted at Pandeshwar beach on sand was the special attraction on Thursday. Some of the visitors even worshipped the sand sculpture.
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