Jammu celebrates Mahashivratri
Live telecast of Aarti at Shiv Khori launched
Jammu, February 24
Jammu today celebrated the festival of Mahashiratri with zeal and zest. People in large number thronged the Shiva Temples around the city since morning and celebrated Mahashivratri, However, as believed the rain this time missed its calendar. The city was dotted with community kitchens and bhandaras serving free food to all at various places.
Lord Shiva temples throughout the town were well decorated with buntings, balloons, and colourful lightings and witnessed huge rush in queues as devotees in thousands thronged to offer prayers since early morning. Ancient Peer-Khoh Cave Temple, Bhawe-Temple, Raghunath Temple, Panjbakhtar, Ranbireshwar and Aapshambu witnessed unprecedented crowd waiting in queues for Darshans.
Shivratri holds immense importance among Hindus and the festival celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati and it is strongly believed that rain always occurs on Shivratri. Religious experts believe that a dry day on Shivratri gives some negative vibes. Met experts say the climate change is the main reason behind it.
“It is not a good sign that there has been no rain on this auspicious day. The Mahashivratri day has always been blessed with showers in Jammu and Kashmir,” said a priest at a Lord Shiva temple.
Meanwhile, cave shrines and ancient temples of Lord Shiva witnessed heavy rush of devotees across the Jammu region. They thronged the religious places throughout the day to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri.
Long queues were seen at all the famous Lord Shiva temples at Aap Shambhu temple in Roopnagar, Peerkho, Ranbireshwar temple in Shalamar and Purmandal. Special rituals were performed at “Shivalingum”. Devotees observed fast and paid obeisance at temples.
A large number of social, religious and political organisations and mahalla and mandir committees had organised langars outside Lord Shiva temples all around the city.
The annual Maha Shivratri festival was celebrated at Shiv Khori today with religious fervor and enthusiasm. The event began with historic live telecast of Aarti followed by cultural programmes at Ransoo.
Aarti was telecasted live by MH1 News channel from inside the holy cave which will continue in morning and evening session every day, henceforth.
Over one lakh devotees have visited the holy cave so far and the Yatra was going on smoothly on the second day of mela.
Along the route and at the base camp Ransoo, several langers and Bhandaras were also arranged for pilgrims by Shiv Khori Mandlis.
The other important events for the festival included cultural panorama including Tandav dance organized by Information Department, Bhajans by Chaman Lehri Group, Kud by Kapoor Singh and Party from Bakkal, Lambi Bhaak by local people of Ransoo and adjoining areas.
Later Executive Officer distributed awards and mementoes among the participants.
Over 28 different departmental stalls were also established for providing awareness to the people about various welfare schemes and giving employment oriented information to the youth.
