Like every year, Pankaj Shah on Monday stayed up all night to pray and manage the surging crowd at the Babulnath Temple in Girgaum Chowpatty. One of the most sought after places for Maha Shivratri by devotees of Lord Shiva, Babulnath Temple opens up early on the occasion, which is being observed today.
Like every year, Pankaj Shah on Monday stayed up all night to pray and manage the surging crowd at the Babulnath Temple in Girgaum Chowpatty. One of the most sought after places for Maha Shivratri by devotees of Lord Shiva, Babulnath Temple opens up early on the occasion, which is being observed today.
Shah, who comes all the way from Kandivli to serve at the temple, said that people begin thronging the temple from the previous night itself. "Unlike the regular days when the temple opens at around 5 am, on Shivratri, it opens at 2.30 am. A puja is performed by the priests, before the temple is opened to the public," added the 34-year-old.
Celebrated across India mostly by Hindus, Maha Shivratri sees a large number of devotees for the benevolence the Lord showers on them. Among the beliefs behind the celebration, are Lord Shiva's marriage with his consort, his performance of the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction, and him drinking poison to save the world.
Pinkesh Trivedi, another devotee who comes from Mira Road to serve the people, said: "This time, in the wee hours of Wednesday, we will also perform a mock ritual of his marriage ceremony with Parvati." A number of people also conduct 'abhishek' – a ceremonial ablution given to the Lord.
In addition to Babulnath, Sri Bhuvaneshwar Temple and Sri Shankar Mattham in Matunga see serpentine queues as well. "Women pray for the well-being of their husbands. An unmarried woman prays for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the 'ideal' husband. The temples reverberate with the sound of bells and chanting of Om Nama Shivaya," informed KA Viswanathan, who is a regular at the Shankara Mattham temple.
A number of offerings are made to Lord Shiva, including water, milk, and honey. Do not be surprised if a group of people ask you to consider sharing some of the milk you want to offer to Lord Shiva, with poor. This is because some citizens have taken it upon themselves to spread awareness of helping the poor in a novel way.
The Rotaract Club of Mumbai, Mulund South is one such organisation. "We are not against any ritual. This is an exercise we started last year as part of our white revolution campaign. All we tell people is that they set aside a portion of the milk that was to be offered to the Lord, for the poor as well," said Nirali Shah, a member of the group.
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