Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, FEB 26:
The festival of Maha Shivaratri was celebrated with fervor across Jammu region today with Lord Shiva devotees thronging Shiv Temples, especially the ‘Aap Shambhu’ temples since early morning to pay their obeisance.
Devotees in large numbers gathered at various Shiv Temples across Jammu including Aap Shambu Temple at Roop Nagar, Peerkho Temple, Jammu, the historic Raghunath Temple in Jammu City, Shiv Dham, Shiv Parvati Temple, and the Shiv Temple at Purmandal, which is about 40 kms away from Jammu.
In Jammu City, the historic Ranbireshawar Temple was thronged by the largest ever number of devotees in the past some years.
The devotees started visiting the historic temple around 4 AM in the morning. As the rush increased, long ques of devotees were seen chanting ‘Har- Mahadev’ throughout the day.
The devotees offered ‘Bhel Patri, Bhang, flowers, Chandan to Lord Shiva.
Jhankis of ‘Shiv Baraat’ were also taken out in Jammu which passed through the main areas of the city. The Shiv Baraat was taken out after performing religious rituals and prayers
in the temples. Langars offering Prasad were also organized by the devotees across Jammu across all roads and localities.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Tourism Jammu in collaboration with JKAACL and District Administration Jammu, Samba and Reasi also organised the Mahashivratri Mahotsav.
The celebrations were also marked at the revered temple Peer Kho and Panchvaktar Mahadev Temple in Jammu.
Meanwhile, Amid rain, a large number of devotees thronged the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar to pay obeisance on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, being celebrated with religious fervour on Wednesday.
In Kashmir, Shivratri is locally known as Herath, and as part of their unique traditions, Pandits observe nightlong prayers and offer walnuts, which are placed in a watuk (earthen pot) as a sacred ritual.
Despite the inclement weather, tourists and devotees, including men, women, and children, patiently queued up along the stairs of the Shankaracharya Temple, perched on a hill overlooking the picturesque Dal Lake. Braving the rain and dense fog since morning, they eagerly awaited their turn to offer prayers.
Authorities in Srinagar had made adequate arrangements to facilitate smooth and hassle-free visits for devotees at the temple and other places of worship.
A group of tourists from Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi was delighted after paying obeisance on a cold weather morning at the temple.
Kritika from Delhi said that “it was a great experience to visit Shankaracharya temple on the holy occasion of Maha Shivratri.” She said that the spiritual feelings are all around this temple.
The devotees also took part in the special prayers and prayed for the eternal and everlasting peace for the country, particularly Kashmir.
J&K Lt Governor, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and several leaders have greeted the people on Maha Shivratri.
