Hindu devotees gathered in numbers to mark Maha Shivraatri at Shiv temple in Samabula - Fiji, yesterday.
Hindus around the country celebrated Maha Shivaratri yesterday. This Hindu festival is celebrated annually in honour of the Lord Shiva.
‘Shivratri’ means ‘Great night of Lord Shiva’ is favourite day of Lord Shiva. There are many reasons Hindus celebrate this festival.
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha as per Amavasya-ant month calculation.
Shree Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha Fiji national president Sarju Prasad said: “The important features of this religious function are rigid fasting for 24 hours and sleepless vigil during the night.”
“Devotees of Lord Shiva spend the night of Shivratri in deep meditation, keeps vigil and observes fast,” he said.
Mr Prasad said he was pleased to see devotees in long queues at the Shiva temple in Samabula for prayer.
The worship of Lord Shiva consists of offering flowers, bilva (bel pattra) leaves and other gifts on the Linga which is a symbol of Lord Shiva, and bathing it with milk, honey, butter, ghee and rosewater.
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+Prof: Koti Madhav Balu Chowdary