Maha Shivaratri Celebrations at Chinmaya Mission, Sandeepany, Mumbai. Feb'10
The Maha Shivaratri (Mahashivratri) which is a major Hindu festival was celebrated with great fervor at the Chinmaya Mission, Sandeepany, Powai Ashram on Friday, February 12th, 2010. Shivaratri is celebrated on the 6th night of the dark Phalgun (Feb or March) every year and the Powai ashram gets thundreds of thousands of visitors in the 24 hours period.
Over two lakh (200,000) devotees lined up to get a darshan of the Lord and participated in this special prayer and chanted "Om Namah Shivay" until midnight of 12th. "Abishekam" was performed by the priests, pundits to Lord Shiva. The deities were beautifully decorated with colorful flowers and ornaments. Devotees offered flowers, milk, honey, coconuts, fruits and special food..
According to the Hindu mythology, Maha Shivaratri is considered to be an auspicious night to offer prayers to Lord Shiva as He saved the entire Universe from the evil effects on this particular night that occurs on the 11th Lunar month, Maasi. It is believed that one who stays awake during Maha Shivaratri and prays to Lord Shiva sincerely, is sure to attain salvation. Some devotees even abstain from eating food all day and break their fast only after night long worship. Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the 'Tandava'. It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Ma. The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil along with chanting. On this day Shiva devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and bel leaves on Shiva Linga. You can visit for more details http://www.chinmayamission.com/
Credit for the video clips goes to Anu (Arundhathi).
Read MoreOver two lakh (200,000) devotees lined up to get a darshan of the Lord and participated in this special prayer and chanted "Om Namah Shivay" until midnight of 12th. "Abishekam" was performed by the priests, pundits to Lord Shiva. The deities were beautifully decorated with colorful flowers and ornaments. Devotees offered flowers, milk, honey, coconuts, fruits and special food..
According to the Hindu mythology, Maha Shivaratri is considered to be an auspicious night to offer prayers to Lord Shiva as He saved the entire Universe from the evil effects on this particular night that occurs on the 11th Lunar month, Maasi. It is believed that one who stays awake during Maha Shivaratri and prays to Lord Shiva sincerely, is sure to attain salvation. Some devotees even abstain from eating food all day and break their fast only after night long worship. Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the 'Tandava'. It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Ma. The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil along with chanting. On this day Shiva devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and bel leaves on Shiva Linga. You can visit for more details http://www.chinmayamission.com/
Credit for the video clips goes to Anu (Arundhathi).
