Mahashivratri – The Grand Occasion of Om Namah Shivay

Shiva, as the god of destroying evil, is the third among the divine trinity of Hindu mythology. The holy mantra consisting of five-syllables: “Na” “Ma” “Shi” “Vaa” “Ya” (Om Namah Shivay) in praise of Lord is anted incessantly on special occasions like Shivaratri. Mahashivratri is the great night of lord Shiva.It is said that on this very day Lord Shiva get married with Goddess Parvati. So on this auspicious day, eternal union of Shiva took place with Shakti.

Festival of Mahashivaratri is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival has been accorded lot of significance in Hindu mythology. It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha it has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most.

From the very early morning, Shiva temples are flocked by devotees, too young and old, who come to perform the traditional Shivalinga worship (puja) and hence hope for favours from the god. Devotees bathe at sunrise, preferably in the Ganga, or any other holy water source (like the Shiva Sagartank at Khajurao). This is a purificatory rite, an important part of all Hindu festivals. And then after wearing a clean piece of cloth the devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Mahashivratri with care and devotion. They observe day and night fast and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc.

All the festivals are celebrated in our organization throughout the year. But this is one of the main festivals and occasions celebrated every year full heartedly with zeal and enthusiasm in our organization”Om Namah Shivay” And the place of its grand celebration is decided by our Parampujya Guruji.

Among all other Places (Kanpur, Allahabad, Faizabad) this year this festival is decided to be celebrated in Lucknow on 26^th of Febraury 2012(Sunday).

On this day,various cultural activities or programmes are organised such as Shiv leela ,bhakt leela etc, which is performed by the bhakts of Om Namah Shivaye. Most importantly a grand feast or Bhandara is organised,which starts from the rise of the sun and continues throughout the night along with programmes. A huge gathering of lakhs of people takes place to celebrate this auspicious day and bhakt from all corners of the country collect at this place to have a glimpse of this grand event.

This Mahashivratri Prasad is distributed to lakhs of people (Bhakt) by the volunteers of the organisation.It will not be wrong to say that whosoever comes here does not go empty stomach and is ensured to get the prasad by our Parampujya Guruji Himself.Not even this, there is a proper arrangement for those who wants to take a hault at this place at night,so that the bhakts can stay to have the glimpse of all the programmes or cultural activities throughout the night.

Slowly and gradually the day as well as the programmes comes to an end and then the Bhakts return to their places,but not empty hands,they take the blessings of our Parampujya Prabhuji along with them and as The sight of such an event is so mersmerizing and effective that people are unable to forget it for so coming many years of their lives.