The Shivalaya Temple of Greater Boston celebrated a special program of Maha Shivaratri festival on February 13, 2018 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. A large number of devotees from nearby areas visited and participated with great enthusiasm in the event. Mahashivratri is the darkest night of the year and the planetary positions on this night are such that there is a powerful natural increase of energy in the human system that is very beneficial for one’s physical and spiritual wellbeing. Shivaratri is a major Hindu festival about overcoming darkness and ignorance in life and also a day of thanksgiving to the Lord Shiva for protecting us from annihilation.

The temple remained crowded since morning till late at night and the special puja ceremony took place mainly in the evening. Some devotees observed a strict fast from dawn till dusk on this day and it is believed to bring good luck to those who observe it.  Others meditated in the name of Lord Shiva for wisdom and freedom from the mortal world. Devotees with utmost devotion stood in the long queue to offer prayers and milk with Ganga Jal to Shiva Lingam.

Swami Nalinanand Giri Ji sang Shiv Bhajans with his supreme devotion and delivered Shiv Katha eloquently from 6:00pm to 7:30pm to all the devotees. Later, Maha Rudra Abhishek of Shiva Lingam was performed by Swami Ji with all the proper Vedic rituals, mantras and presented a glorious appearance of beautifully decorated Lingam with flowers, nuts and several Deeyas to the devotees.  Rudra Abhishekam is done for the fulfillment of our desires and invocation of His divine blessings.

Swami Ji along with all the devotees chanted praising verses and hymns from religious scriptures to appease Lord Shiva.  Chants of Har Har Mahadev filled the air in temple as devotees celebrated Mahashivratri with gaiety and fervor. Sri Rudram was chanted along with 108 names of Lord Shiva in chorus and many more shlokas were also chanted by Swami Ji that help devotees get blessings of Lord Shiva. Chanting of Sri Rudram in rhythm created a positive vibration that purified the entire atmosphere around and within the hearts.

Shri. Neeraj Periwal sang a few popular enjoyable devotional Bhajans of Lord Shiva and made all the devotees to sing along with him. Devotees enjoyed and appreciated the music played by professional artists: Shri Bharat Kumar Raval and Shri. Abhishek Patvari on Harmoniums, and Shri. Sanjay Kharat on Tabla. A delightful event of Shiv Vivah was presented by Children from 8:30pm to 9:00pm with intricate dance technique.

Maha Mangal Arati to Lord Shiva was performed at 9:00pm. ‘Nirvana the Taste of India’ restaurant served delicious Prasad to all the devotees. Shri Sudershan Ji, Shri. Subhas Bansal Ji and their team controlled the crowd very nicely. Temple President, Shri. Vijay Kumar Selhi Ji and Shri Chirag, thanked generously all the devotees for making this event a grand success. They also thanked all the volunteers for their dedication and services to the temple.

On this night, one of the devotees stated, “I came to offer milk to Shiva Lingam and I liked to pray for detachment of mind, body and soul. Today, I prayed for a balanced mind. As a married couple, we both prayed to Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati for happiness in our marriage.”

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