Bhole Baba’s Procession Passed From Shimla With Pomp, Shiva Temples Crowded With Devotees
Shimla, February 26: Shimla gained spiritual gaiety on Monday as the devotees thronged in large numbers to celebrate Mahashivratri, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main attraction of the celebrations was the procession of Bhole Baba, which was carried out with great enthusiasm and devotion by the Sanatan Dharma Sabha and Sood Sabha. It was an exciting day as the locals and visitors alike took to the streets to join in the traditional rituals and colorful celebration of faith.
It was at the Radha Krishna Temple that the idol of Lord Shiva was formally dressed and set for the procession. Hundreds of devotees dressed in traditional attire followed the procession as it passed through the busy streets of the city going through Ganj and Lower Bazaar, to end at the Ram Temple. As the procession took place it was echoed with chant of “Har Har Mahadev” and beats of drums.
Shiv and Mata Parvati Wedding
The highlight of the day was the ‘Vedic marriage’ of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati, which was performed at Ram Temple. The ceremony was performed in a pious and divine atmosphere, at the auspicious hour, in the presence of priests who chanted holy mantras, praying for peace, prosperity and happiness to be bestowed upon all. The union of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati is said to signify cosmic balance, the blend of universal forces, with Shiva representing consciousness and Mink the kinetic energy of existence.
Chief guest Rajiv Sood, President Sood Sabha Shimla, who was instrumental in organizing the event spoke on the significance of the day. “Mahadev is the power to make impossible possible. “For the entire night all four prahars — from 6 pm to 6 am — are being worshipped so that at all times of the night the paan leaves cover the face of the goddess,” Sood said.
There were chants and bells all around the temple premise, which contributed to heavenly vibations. A sea of devotees assemble to add to the learned ritual and receive the blessings of Lord Shiva. People from all religions came to see the marriage ceremony, which was a testament to the region’s religious and cultural unity.
The Spirit of Community and Devotional Offerings
True to the occasion, a bhandaar (community feast) for the devotees was arranged. Thousands of devotees who had come to take part in the prayers were served free prasad by the bhandaar. Such is the love and affection they have for this temple that the devotees took part with much enthusiasm in this mass feeding offering and were served prasadam by the temple officials.
It was a spiritual pilgrimage as well as a celebration of Shimla’s rich cultural roots. Local people and tourists felt the warmth of the community spirit as they took part in the religious observances. The bhandaar was a gesture of generosity and manifested the sharing of the divine blessings of Lord Shiva to all individuals who were present.
As the night went deep, the worshippers carried on with their ice infused worship, as oblation and chants were performed and chanted for the four prahars of the night. All temples of Shimla will remain open throughout the night for the devotees to offer prayers to Bhole Baba.
A Day of Devotion and Unity
With the celebration of Mahashivratri in Shimla, the people had an unforgettable experience forming a unique sense of togetherness among the citizens with a strong belief in God as a cultural celebration of Trick-or-Treat. However, the grand procession and rituals at the Ram Temple offered a chance for locals and tourists alike to join in and celebrate the deity, Lord Shiva. And this glimpse of the final folklore was one of myriad events of the day that demonstrated the enduring nature of spirituality and the rich traditions that thrive in Himachal Pradesh.
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