Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Mar 2: Mahashivaratri falls on the 14th day of waning moon of Margashira month as per Hindu calendar. This is the ‘great night’, Maha Ratri, when devotees are expected to observe fast, stay awake, and offer puja to Lord Shiva, sing his Bhajans and appease Him in various other ways.
It is believed that Lord Shiva had performed Tandava dance on this day. Mythological scriptures also describe this to be the day on which Lord Shiva was married to Goddess Parvati. Devotees offer flowers, bael leaves, and bathe the Lingam of the Lord with reverence, besides performing various other procedures to win over his kind attention. Those who appease the Lord on this day are believed to get rid of all their sins and that Lord Shiva will bestow them with a boon of salvation upon death.
For women, Mahashivaratri happens to be a very important occasion. They pray to Goddess Parvati, who controls the conjugal relationships, with marital bliss for themselves and long life for their husbands.
Various temples across the twin-districts that are dedicated to Lord Shiva like Kadri Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple, etc., will be bustling with devotees, who have come by foot from various places across the state, today and tomorrow. Tonight, Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, will inaugurate the Jagaran (night vigil) Bhajan at Dharmasthala. In Kudroly, the silver chariot donated by a devotee will be dedicated to the Lord at 12.42 pm. Today also happens to be the annual car festival day at Kudroly temple.
In Marpalli Lord Mahalingeshwara temple near Udupi, Marpalli Chende group will be playing Chende from March 3 morning to March 4 morning, without a break.
The policemen have warned people not to engage in stoning of houses, starting a fire by the roadside etc., and that miscreants will be sternly dealt with. Security has been beefed up. Many believe that getting abused by Lord Shiva devotees on Mahashivaratri brings good luck to those who engage in these mischievous activities.