Mandi News
Shivratri rituals started in Choti Kashi Mandi, as per tradition, butter was applied on Baba Bhootnath
Mandi, January 28: Shivratri Mahotsav rituals have been started by applying butter on Shivling of ancient Baba Bhootnath temple of Chhoti Kashi Mandi last night. As per tradition, auspicious rituals of Shivratri start from Kaala Ratri. On this very night, butter is applied on Shivling, which is called Ghrit Kambal. From now till Shivratri, butter will be offered by devotees daily in the temple, the paste of which will be applied on Shivling. Figures of different forms of Bhole Baba will be carved on the paste and people will be given darshan.
On the first day in the temple, the figure of Bijli Mahadev of Kullu was carved on butter and devotees were given darshan.
Mahant Dayanand Saraswati, priest of Baba Bhootnath temple, told that butter was applied on Shivling last night. A large number of people had reached the temple for this. He told that the butter will be taken out on the day of Shivratri and then it will be distributed to all the devotees in the form of prasad.
Local people of Mandi said that the people of Mandi eagerly wait for the Shivratri festival every year. They said that the tradition of applying butter on Baba Bhootnath temple has been going on for centuries and as soon as the paste is applied, preparations for the auspicious works of Shivratri also begin.