Maha Shivratri 2018: Devotees throng to seek blessings of lord of lords at Babulnath temple

On Tuesday, it was the second round Vijay Dubey made of the Babulnath Temple. An ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, considered God of Gods in Hindu mythology, he had brought his extended family this time to Babulnath Temple, one of the most visited temples during Mahashivratri. 

"I had come to offer milk last night. Now I am here to offer prayers with them," said Dubey. Thousands stood in serpentine queues at the Babulnath temple and its footsteps for long hours to take the Darshan of the Lord. 

Those like Usha Mishra did a Puja at home and also at a nearby temple. Some like Amit Chorge and Nikhila Palav in their 20s had come for the first time. "Since childhood we have been chanting Om Namah Shivay for any issue we face. The chanting of the mantra given postive vibrations," said Chorge who had come from Lalbaug. 

For youth, the three-eyed Lord who is often holding a pot and trident is more than often captivating their imagination. "I have been reading the trilogy Meluha.  I think that closes describes him. He is one an image of power. Someone who is willig to take on everything. He even held poison in his neck when he took it," said Pranay Fattawat, 20 year old TYBMS student who was standing in queue for a Darshan. 

"He is a complete inspiration. Gods, animals devils, everyone prays him," said Piyush Dudhar who visits a Shiva temple often. Since there queue was not moving, Dudhar was going to make another round to the temple in the evening. "It is aarti time so line does not move. Since I am not from Mumbai, I will be coming back for darshan in the evening even if the line is longer. That time it is moving," said Piyush who was observing a fast like many others. 

Those into social service make it a point to serve. Ashok Dalvi distributes hundreds of glasses of water.  "Devotees come from far. They fast and we feel they should get something. We given them water," said Dalvi.