Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Mar 1: Maha Shivaratri, which is the most auspicious time of the year to please Lord Shiva and get a shower of his kindness is here.
It is believed that Lord Shiva is at his benevolent best on Maha Shivaratri day. People therefore have been offering special puja, Abhisheka to the Lord besides taking part in religious and cultural programmes being held in many temples. People keep chanting the name of the Lord, sing his Bhajans all through the night and stay awake the whole night on Maha Shivaratri. On this day Bilva Patra (bael) leaves are offered to Lord Shiva, as these twigs are supposed to be very dear to Him.
In temples like Lord Gokarnanatheshwara at Kudroli in the city, this happens to be the day of the annual festival. Special decorations have been made and different religious programmes are under way.