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Amidst the sacred splendor of Maha Shivaratri, the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, Pashupathinath's temple complex in Kathmandu becomes a realm where time itself holds its breath. In this bustling tapestry of devotion, a captivating tableau unfolds - a young woman, accompanied by her parents, engaging in a holy offering within one of many intimate, small temples.
At Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Nepal, a sadhu performs a blessing during Maha Shivaratri - the auspicious wedding day of Shiva and Parvati.
At Pashupathinath, Kathmandu Nepal, young men climb the steep steps of the sacred temple in look for the perfect vantage point.
Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities in Hinduism, revered as the "Destroyer" in the holy trinity, or Trimurti, which also includes Brahma (the Creator) and Vishnu (the Preserver). Shiva is a complex and multifaceted god, embodying both ascetic and householder aspects. He is often depicted with a third eye, a crescent moon on his head, and a snake wrapped around his neck. His primary consort is Parvati, and together they have two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya.
Some key aspects of Lord Shiva include:
The Destroyer and Transformer: While he is known as the destroyer, his role is to remove the old and make way for transformation and new creation.
Meditation and Asceticism: Shiva is often shown in deep meditation, symbolizing detachment and spiritual wisdom.
Lord of Dance (Nataraja): One of the most famous representations of Shiva is as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, who is believed to represent the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction.
Symbols:
Trident (Trishul): Represents the three forces of creation, preservation, and destruction.
Damaru (Drum): Symbolizes the cosmic sound and rhythm of the universe.
Ganga: The river goddess Ganga, which flows from his matted hair, signifies purity and divine flow.
Blue Throat: This is due to the legend where Shiva drank the poison during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to protect the world.
A procession through the lanes of the Old City on Maha Shivaratri day in Varanasi, India.
More Varanasi:
All days of the festival is considered auspicious, but some days are more auspicious!! The last day of the festival was the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri.
The green bottles - 5 litres in capacity- are for carrying back water from the river Ganges. The water is considered holy and is used in various rituals.
A lady visiting from Australia filled up perfume bottles with the water to take back with her, the large bottles being disallowed in flight; another young gentleman turned entrepreneur selling the water in 500ml bottles online.
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival of India and Nepal celebrated annually in reverence of the God Shiva. It is celebrated during the night by keeping a "jaagaran" as its believed that Lord Shiva saved the universe from darkness and ignorance. This day Shiva was married to the Goddess Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri festival marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti.
Shiva and Parvati's Divine Union:
It is believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on the night of Maha Shivratri.
A procession through the lanes of the Old City on Maha Shivaratri day in Varanasi, India.
More Varanasi:
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva. It is also referred to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance.
It is a major festival in Hinduism, and this festival is solemn and marks a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.
Maha Shivaratri in Varanasi
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in reverence of the god Shiva. It is the day Shiva was married to the goddess Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri festival, also popularly known as 'Shivaratri' or 'Great Night of Shiva', marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti.
The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael leaves to Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-vigil (jagaran). All through the day, devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya", the sacred mantra of Shiva. Penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's highest good steadily and swiftly.
All days of the festival is considered auspicious, but some days are more auspicious!! The last day of the festival was the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri.
These pilgrims travelled all night by bus to arrive early morning to bathe in the waters of the Ganges. This group are the followers of the seer in saffron.
Angalaamman is a name given to the Tamil village deity.Mayana Kollai is the main function of Angalaamman festival where people disguise themselves as Kaali and roam in the streets.Once by the order of parvati, Shiva as "Rudra" removed one head of Brahma so Brahma now with four heads cursed Shiva that his fifth head(Kabala) must be attached to his hand itself and hereafter Shiva must be affected having hunger, having no sleep.Lord Vishnu advised parvati to goto thandakarunyam graveyard with shiva and serve food to kabala and then throw the food everywhere in the graveyard.The kabala will come down, leaving Shiva's hand, to eat the food and unable to find Shiva's hand it gets itself attached to parvati hand.She takes The fiercest form Angalaamman which destroyed the kabala
Kaveripattinam | Tamilnadu | Feb 2018
at Maha Shivaratri in Varanasi
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in reverence of the god Shiva. It is the day Shiva was married to the goddess Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri festival, also popularly known as 'Shivaratri' or 'Great Night of Shiva', marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti.
The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael leaves to Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-vigil (jagaran). All through the day, devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya", the sacred mantra of Shiva. Penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's highest good steadily and swiftly.
Angalaamman is a name given to the Tamil village deity.Mayana Kollai is the main function of Angalaamman festival where people disguise themselves as Kaali and roam in the streets.Once by the order of parvati, Shiva as "Rudra" removed one head of Brahma so Brahma now with four heads cursed Shiva that his fifth head(Kabala) must be attached to his hand itself and hereafter Shiva must be affected having hunger, having no sleep.Lord Vishnu advised parvati to goto thandakarunyam graveyard with shiva and serve food to kabala and then throw the food everywhere in the graveyard.The kabala will come down, leaving Shiva's hand, to eat the food and unable to find Shiva's hand it gets itself attached to parvati hand.She takes The fiercest form Angalaamman which destroyed the kabala
Kaveripattinam | Tamilnadu | Feb 2018
offering a prayer at dawn on the auspicous day of Mahashivaratri...also the last day of thr Maha Kumbh Mela.