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Maha Shivratri celebrated with religious fervor across Jammu

Subodh Bhasin. Dated: 2/14/2018 10:42:26 AM

Subodh Bhasin
Jammu, Feb 13
Maha Shivratri was celebrated today with religious fervor in the winter capital of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Amid “Bam Bam Bhole” devotees observed fast and offered prayers at different temples of Lord Shiva in Jammu as well its peripherals.
People started visiting the temples since early morning and thousands of devotees thronged various Shiva temples and offered ‘bel patra’ and milk to the deity. Temples remained crowded since the wee hours till late at night.. People from nearby rural areas were also seen visiting the temples reverberated ‘Om Namah Shivay’.
Devotees offer Bael or golden apple to Lord Shiva and chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord Om Namah Shivaya on this day, which is celebrated across India.
According to the Hindu Mythology, Maha Shivratri is associated with the marriage of Shiva and Parvati and is observed on the 13th night /14th day of the Hindu month of Phalguna or Maagh every year.
Taking to Young Bites Ajay Pandit said that , offerings of Bael leaves to Shiva are made along with observing all-day fasting and night-vigil with chants of “Om Namah Shivaya”.
Also known as Shivaratri, the festival celebrates the convergence of Shiva and Shakti on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Magha. Women observe fast and offer prayers both to Lord Shiva and Parvati to seek a blissful married life.
Some devotees also perform special rituals and penances to gain boons by the practice of Yoga and meditation to attain moksha or salvation.
District administration made tight security arrangements at temples to avoid any untoward incident. Elaborate security arrangements were made across the region, especially in and around the temples, in the wake of "disturbing inputs" that terrorist outfits might try to create trouble during the festival.
Among the many legends associated with Maha Shivratri are marriage of Shiva and Shakti and Ganga’s descent from the heavens to the earth. Maha Shivratri also marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava” dance.
The Kashmiri Pandit community also celebrated the occasion as 'Herath'. Thousand of devotees paid their obeisance at the famous Shiv Khori temple in the Reasi district of the state.
Some devotees perform special rituals and penances to gain boons by the practice of Yoga and meditation to attain moksha or salvation.
In Jammu city, a large number of devotees offered prayers at the Pir Kho Temple, and various other shrines. Like every year, at several places mela was also organized around temples.