Vidya Sethuraman
India Post News Service
Maha Shivratri, also known as the ‘Great night of Lord Shiva,’ is a Hindu festival observed by devotees Worldwide with much fervor. It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar, and marks the night of the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. However, amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there are several restrictions and guidelines put in place to ensure the safety of the devotees offering prayers on the holy day.
Vedic Dharma Samaj in Fremont, which usually draws thousands of pilgrims on the festival, followed all COVID protocols and celebrated Mahashivratri. The devotees thronged the temples since early morning to offer prayers and perform special ‘pujas’. Havan/Homam was performed at the temple. Maha Shivratri Puja, with shiv linga ‘Abhishekam’ with ghee, honey, raw milk, flowers; along with lighting incense, diyas the ‘vidhi’ as a part of the ritual. Priests Kumaraswamy Kristipati, Ajay Prasanna, Rupendra Mishra, Kunj Chaturvedi and Kalyan Sharma meticulously prepared for the entire celebration and delivered a divine experience for all the devotees.
