Sivasagar decked up to celebrate Shivratri

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SIVASAGAR, Feb 22: The four-day-long Mahashivratri Utsav and Mela will commence in Sivasagar around the historic Shiva Doul (temple) on February 23.

Meanwhile, all arrangements for the festival, including rituals, security and civic amenities, were filized at a meeting chaired by rayan Konwar, Deputy Commissioner, Sivasagar and president of Sivasagar Doul Unyan Parishad, recently. The Shivratri Mela will be iugurated by eminent author, educationist and exponent of Xatriya culture Dr Nirupama Mahanta on February 23.

Every year lakhs of devotees visit the Shiva Doul during the festival from all over the country to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. During the festival, the Sivasagar Doul Unyan Parishad in association with Sivasagar district administration organized a fair for the people visiting the temple around the doul beside the Borpukhuri and at the playground of Phuleswari Girls’ HS School and Tai Sangskriti Bikash Kendra premises, with various stalls selling food items, clothes and furniture. Some of the attractions of the mela include Chitrahaar, dance and other performances.

The Parishad, with support from the civic and police administration, is making all efforts to make the festival even more popular and also provide the devotees with maximum facilities. Meanwhile, many projects, keeping in view the comfort, entertainment and security of the pilgrims, have been taken up. A souvenir in the form of a magazine will also be released on the occasion by Prof Lanu Nusang Ao, Pro-Vice Chancellor of galand Central University.

Shivratri has been celebrated since the time the Shiva Doul was constructed next to the Borpukhuri (Sivasagar Tank) by Queen Ambika Konwari, second wife of Swargadeo Shiva Singha in 1731. Till, 1992, the fair was held inside the temple. Subsequently, the fair area was expanded.

Meanwhile, the Sivasagar district administration has declared a local holiday on February 24 (Thursday) for Shivratri.

DEMOW: The Sivaratri Puja will also be held on February 24 and 25 at Demow and at Thowra Mandir besides its surrounding areas with a daylong programme.