One of the most significant festivals for Hindus is Maha Shivratri. This will be observed this year on February 18, 2023. Here are some of ...
One of the most significant festivals for Hindus is Maha Shivratri. This will be observed this year on February 18, 2023.
Here are some of the best locations to celebrate Maha Shivratri and experience a spiritual high by a Delhi Sightseeing by Bus service provider-
Herath, Kashmir valley
It is known among Kashmiri Pandits as Herath, which is a phonetic rendering of Har-ratri or the night of Hara (Shiva). The Hindu Pandits of Kashmir celebrate Mahashivratri as the occasion of Shiva and Parvati's nuptials. This is the greatest event in the eyes of a Kashmiri Pandit. It lasts for 23 days, from the first day of Phalgun's lunar month of Krishan until Ashtami, the eighth day of Shukla Paksha. All social, religious, and even cultural activities are included.
Shree Somanath Jyotirlinga Temple, Veraval, Gujarat
One of Lord Shiva's twelve Jyotirlinga shrines is this one. It is situated in the Gujarati province of Saurashtra. Hindu mythology holds that the Moon God himself built the Somnath temple. On the holy day of Mahashivratri, hordes of worshippers swarm the Shivalaya.
Loknatha temple, Puri, Odisha
According to legend, Lord Rama himself ascended the lingam in this temple in Puri. In the Lokanatha temple, the Shivaratri festival is observed with great devotion. On this day, Shiva and Vishnu (Hari and Hara) have a meeting. This lingam is preserved in a water-filled vat. Only on Pankodhar Ekadasi, the day before Shivaratri, when the water is drained from the vat, is it visible.
Umananda temple, Guwahati, Assam
In Assam's Umananda Temple, one of the major Maha Shivaratri ceremonies takes place. On the peacock island in the Brahmaputra River is where the temple is located. The Shivratri celebration, thousands of devotees go to Guwahati from all across the nation. The former Ahom rulers' capital of Sibsagar is another important Mahashivratri festival hub.
Mahakaleshwar temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
It is one of the holiest and most revered temples consecrated to God Shiva and is situated in Jaisinghpura town, Ujjain district, in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. On the banks of the River Kshipra, a fair is held in conjunction with the major celebration of Mahashivratri.
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
The Kandariya Mahadeo Temple hosts an extravagant celebration for this, the most significant event in Khajuraho. The puja ceremony is performed all night long, and the 2.5 metre high Lingam in the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple is dressed like a bridegroom. A large festival occurs after the Puja. In the celebration of Maha Shivaratri, the best Indian classical dances are presented during the seven-day Khajuraho Dance Festival, which takes place in an outdoor auditorium inside the temples of Chitragupta and Vishwanatha.
Srikalahasti and Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
The Bharamarambha Malikarjunaswamy Temple in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, and the Sri Kalahasteshwara Temple in Kalahasti both hold major celebrations for it. In Karnataka, the famous temples for Shivratri celebrations are Someshwara in Bangalore and Srikanteshwara in Nanjangud. Also well-known for this celebration is the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. On the occasion of Shivratri, married women particularly pray for the well-being and safety of their husbands, while young ladies who are not yet married ask for a husband who will be kind and supportive like Shiva.
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
The seven-day Mandi Shivaratri Fair, which coincides with the Hindu holiday of Shivaratri, is held in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. On Shivratri, around 200 idols of gods and goddesses from many temples were carried to this location, known as "Chhoti Kashi."
The festivities began when Mandi was established in 1526 under the leadership of Ajbar Sen. (1499-1534). To commemorate the establishment of the new town, he had "invited" all the local deities. The event is based on Lord Shiva of the Mandi temple's Bhootnath and Mado Rai, the protector god of Mandi (Lord Vishnu).
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
On Maha Shivratri, thousands of devotees travel to Varanasi to worship at the important Jyotirlinga Kashi Vishwanath. There are special fairs and special events organised in Varanasi around the period of Maha Shivratri. For the sake of impressing Lord Shiva and obtaining his blessings, the entire city is decked, and its temples are crowded with worshippers.
Haridwar, Uttrakhand
The entrance to Uttrakhand's Char Dham Yatra lies in Haridwar. The River Ganga reaches the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North India at Haridwar after travelling 253 kilometres from its source at Gaumukh, added by a same day Agra tour service provider.
