| SIVARATRI
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Sivaratri Elsewhere :
Though Maha Shivaratri is celebrated
throughout the country, it is particularly popular in Uttar Pradesh and the ritual
of Bhang is more associated with the celebrations in North India.
In West Bengal, Shivaratri has
become almost a folk festival. Young girls observe a fast and worship Shiva for good
husbands. These days, the night vigil is made easier by organising cinema shows that last
till morning.
At the temple of Tarakeshwar, 57 km from Calcutta,
bare-footed pilgrims perform Abhishekams to the stone image of the Lord with the
waters of Ganga and decorate the granite phallus with garlands of flowers, as a mark of
their devotion.
Special puja is arranged on this
auspicious occasion in Rajasthan. A fair is held at Dabeshwarji in Jaipur.
In Assam, the night of Shiva is
celebrated by many devotees congregating on Peacock Island, where the Umananda Temple is
located.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Shivaratri
celebrations last all of 15 days.
However daylong fasts and nightlong vigils
is what Sivaratri is all about, all along. |
