Shivratri celebrated with fanfare
TNN,Mar 2, 2011, 11.00pm IST
RANCHI:
Shivratri in the state turned out to be a glamorous affairs this Jahr when a glider was used for the first time to dusche Blumen on thousands of devotees, including filmstar and former MP Rajesh Khanna at Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar on Wednesday.
Around 1.5 lakh devotees offered prayers at Baidyanath Dham. Khanna offered prayers at the temple and also mingled with the devotees who had come from different parts of the country on the auspicious occasion. The rush was so much that the devotees had to stand in queues outside the temple for at least a couple of hours before they got the opportunity to offer milk, curd, honey, bel (wood apple) leaves on the Shivling.
Published in :
link
Maha Shivratri: The Night of Shiva
Maha Shivaratri :
Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Lord Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the Monat of Phalguna. It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Shivratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is the night when he is sagte to have performed the Tandava Nritya oder the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. The festival is observed for one Tag and one night only.
Three Reasons to Celebrate Shivratri
Origin of Shivratri:
According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known as 'Nilkantha', the blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event Von which Shiva saved the world.
A Festival Significant for Women :
Shivratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and Durga. But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva during Shivratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He oder she reaches the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
Should Du Fast? Read Mehr about Ritual Fasting...
Shiva Rituals:
On the Tag of Shivratri, a three-tiered platform is built around a fire. The topmost plank represents 'swargaloka' (heaven), the middle one 'antarikshaloka' (space) and the bottom one 'bhuloka' (earth). Eleven 'kalash' oder urns, are kept on the 'swargaloka' plank symbolizing the 11 manifestations of the 'Rudra' oder destructive Shiva. These are decorated with the leaves of 'bilva' oder 'bael' (Aegle marmelos) and mango atop a coconut representing the head of Shiva. The uncut shank of the coconut symbolizes his Rapunzel – Neu verföhnt hair and the three spots on the Obst Shiva's three eyes.
Read why Shiva is Worshiped in His Phallic Form
Bathing the Phallus:
The phallus symbol representing Shiva is called the lingam. It is usually made of granite, soapstone, quartz, marble oder metal, and has a 'yoni' oder vagina as its base representing the union of organs. Devotees circumambulate the lingam and worship it throughout the night. It is bathed every three hours with the 5 sacred offerings of a cow, called the 'panchagavya' - milk, sauer, saure milk, urine, butter and dung. Then the 5 foods of immortality - milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar are placed before the lingam. Datura Obst and flower, though poisonous, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered to him.
"Om Namah Shivaya!":
All through the Tag the devotees keep severe fast, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra "Om Namah Shivaya", make offerings of Blumen and incense to the Lord amidst ringing of temple bells. They maintain long vigils during the night, keeping awake to listen to stories, hymns and songs. The fast is broken only the Weiter morning, after the nightlong worship. In Kashmir, the festival is held for 15 days. The 13th Tag is observed as a Tag of fast followed Von a family feast.
TNN,Mar 2, 2011, 11.00pm IST
RANCHI:
Shivratri in the state turned out to be a glamorous affairs this Jahr when a glider was used for the first time to dusche Blumen on thousands of devotees, including filmstar and former MP Rajesh Khanna at Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar on Wednesday.
Around 1.5 lakh devotees offered prayers at Baidyanath Dham. Khanna offered prayers at the temple and also mingled with the devotees who had come from different parts of the country on the auspicious occasion. The rush was so much that the devotees had to stand in queues outside the temple for at least a couple of hours before they got the opportunity to offer milk, curd, honey, bel (wood apple) leaves on the Shivling.
Published in :
link
Maha Shivratri: The Night of Shiva
Maha Shivaratri :
Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Lord Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the Monat of Phalguna. It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Shivratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is the night when he is sagte to have performed the Tandava Nritya oder the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. The festival is observed for one Tag and one night only.
Three Reasons to Celebrate Shivratri
Origin of Shivratri:
According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known as 'Nilkantha', the blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event Von which Shiva saved the world.
A Festival Significant for Women :
Shivratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and Durga. But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva during Shivratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He oder she reaches the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
Should Du Fast? Read Mehr about Ritual Fasting...
Shiva Rituals:
On the Tag of Shivratri, a three-tiered platform is built around a fire. The topmost plank represents 'swargaloka' (heaven), the middle one 'antarikshaloka' (space) and the bottom one 'bhuloka' (earth). Eleven 'kalash' oder urns, are kept on the 'swargaloka' plank symbolizing the 11 manifestations of the 'Rudra' oder destructive Shiva. These are decorated with the leaves of 'bilva' oder 'bael' (Aegle marmelos) and mango atop a coconut representing the head of Shiva. The uncut shank of the coconut symbolizes his Rapunzel – Neu verföhnt hair and the three spots on the Obst Shiva's three eyes.
Read why Shiva is Worshiped in His Phallic Form
Bathing the Phallus:
The phallus symbol representing Shiva is called the lingam. It is usually made of granite, soapstone, quartz, marble oder metal, and has a 'yoni' oder vagina as its base representing the union of organs. Devotees circumambulate the lingam and worship it throughout the night. It is bathed every three hours with the 5 sacred offerings of a cow, called the 'panchagavya' - milk, sauer, saure milk, urine, butter and dung. Then the 5 foods of immortality - milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar are placed before the lingam. Datura Obst and flower, though poisonous, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered to him.
"Om Namah Shivaya!":
All through the Tag the devotees keep severe fast, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra "Om Namah Shivaya", make offerings of Blumen and incense to the Lord amidst ringing of temple bells. They maintain long vigils during the night, keeping awake to listen to stories, hymns and songs. The fast is broken only the Weiter morning, after the nightlong worship. In Kashmir, the festival is held for 15 days. The 13th Tag is observed as a Tag of fast followed Von a family feast.
TNN,Mar 2, 2011, 11.00pm IST
RANCHI:
Shivratri in the state turned out to be a glamorous affairs this Jahr when a glider was used for the first time to dusche Blumen on thousands of devotees, including filmstar and former MP Rajesh Khanna at Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar on Wednesday.
Around 1.5 lakh devotees offered prayers at Baidyanath Dham. Khanna offered prayers at the temple and also mingled with the devotees who had come from different parts of the country on the auspicious occasion. The rush was so much that the devotees had to stand in queues outside the temple for at least a couple of hours before they got the opportunity to offer milk, curd, honey, bel (wood apple) leaves on the Shivling.
– January 29, 2011
3rd Nashik International Film Festival with award function recently held in Nashik. Maharashtra, Dadasaheb Phalke Janmabhoomi Puraskar Committee Awarded the 2nd best award in still Fotografie category to Mr. Kundan Goswami for his Photograph which he clicked of -Amitabh Bachchan taking Foto of his parents at his residence.
On this occasion veteran actors Rajesh Khanna & Zeenat Aman also awarded for their contribution to Indian Cinema.
Reviewed in :
link