Maha Shivratri observed with religious fervour across Assam

Correspondents

TANGLA: Maha Shivratri, the ‘night of Lord Shiva’, was celebrated in the town with religious fervour, with devotees revering Shiva – one of the deities of the Hindu trinity, since early morning on Monday. Long queues of devotees were seen at the Shaivaite temples since the break of the dawn. Devotees were seen offering bel leaves, flowers, fruits, milk, water and honey to shivling. The Shaivaite temples like Dakhin Nalbari Shiva Mandir, Bazaarkhola Shiva Mandir, Chatgari Shiva Mandir and Bhoothnath Shiva Mandir were abuzz with activity as Veda sholakas were chanted. Scores of devotees were seen lighting earthen lamps and burning incense sticks.

Devotees and sadhus were also seen taking a puff of a chillum or a pipe containing marijuana buds as a homage to the Mahadev. Maha Shivratri is a festival which marks the beginning of spring. This major festival, also known as ‘the great night of Shiva’, celebrates the overcoming of darkness and ignorance.

DEMOW: Along with the rest of the State, Maha Shivratri was celebrated in Demow, Thowra Mandir, Raichai, Sepon and surrounding areas on Monday. People went to the Demow Kali Mandir, Demow Radha Krishna Mandir, Raichai Shiva Mandir, Thowra Mandir near Demow and Sivasagar Shiva Doul and pray to Lord Shiva. People also thronged the International Shiva Festival held in Sivasagar.

Dibrugarh: Along with different parts of India, Maha Shivratri was observed here too on Monday. Since Lord Shiva is a part of the Hindu Trinity, and one of the most revered and worshipped gods in Hinduism, devotees of all ages and gender were seen thronging the Shiva temples ever since the first half of the day. The prominent Shiva temples of the town – the ancient Shiv temple at Station Road, one across the Dibrugarh Old Railway Station and one at Gabharupathar - were adorned with elaborate decorations on the occasion. Stalls were set up in front of the temples where all necessary items for offering puja were available.

Another distinct feature of the festival was cultural events being organized at the premises of certain temples. The cultural events – as the one being organized by Gabharupathar Temple – were marked with the performance of devotional songs dedicated to Lord Shiva followed by distribution of maha prasad among the devotees.

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