Many are opting out of bhang parties to focus on celebrating Valentine’s eve.
In mythology, Shiva destroyed Kama Deva (Cupid) when the latter 'struck the lord with love' to help goddess Parvati. However, in 2010, the lord seems to be losing the battle to Cupid and the devout can blame Kalyug.
For, this time the Shivratri celebrations seem to have few takers as they come just two days before Valentine's Day. Many of those who normally host bhang parties for Shivratri have called off their plans and opted instead to celebrate Valentine's Eve — more so, because it falls on Saturday this year.
Very few families, it seems, will be keeping the Shiv shahtranaam blivapatra pujas to celebrate Maha Shivratri in the city.
The festival is a hit with many people because of bhang, which is offered as prasad. But this time, even the lure of bhang has failed to encourage people to set up celebrations for the festival.
Dr Paras Shah, a sexologist who has been celebrating Shivratri by hosting bhang parties for the past 10 years, said he had no plan for Shivratri this year as it has come on a weekday. "Instead, as Saturday is Valentine's evening and a weekend too, we are more inclined to party on Saturday," he said.
Shital Savla, 31, an interior designer, whose son Arav was born on Maha Shivratri, too has similar plans. "I hosted a party on Shivratri last year, it being a holiday and my son's birthday as well. But this time I plan to host a theme party of Baby Valentines. I chose to celebrate his birthday a day later because he and his friends would enjoy the themed celebration more," said Savla.
Lots of regular party throwers in Ahmedabad have also planned to throw parties on Saturday, a day before Valentine's Day. Many renowned DJs and musicians have been invited to play host to farmhouse parties being held in Ahmedabad.
Jigar Shah, the host of one of such party, said he has planned a party on February 13 so that he can dance away till the wee hours of February 14.
Although most of the party hoppers will be partying on Saturday night instead of February 14, there are a few who plan to host a party on Valentine's Day. Aryaman, for instance, is throwing a party on Valentine's Day at a discotheque in the city. One of the invitees to the party, on condition of anonymity, said, "Any party that is held on a day other than February 14 dilutes the zest of the celebration. So it does not matter if V-day falls on a Sunday or Monday, it should be celebrated on the day itself."
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