Devotees gear up for mega Shivratri celebrations in Jamshedpur, elaborate safety arrangements at Dalma

Jamshedpur, Feb 17: Mahashivratri has gripped the devotees with religious fervour, with people observing fast and offering prayers at different temples of Lord Shiva. Ardent devotees, who observe a fast and perform Shiva puja at Nishita Kaal (midnight), remain awake throughout the night.

Maha Shivratri is one festival that brings with it an ecstatic fervour not found in other festivals. Devotion to Shiva is a perennial observance. Shiv bhakti precedes other observances as is evident from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas too.

Thousands of Hindu faithful thronged the temples since midnight. Long queues were seen at the famous Shiva temples. District administration made tight security arrangements at temples to avoid any untoward incident.

Also known as Shivaratri, the festival celebrates the convergence of Shiva and Shakti on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha. Women observe fast and offer prayers both to Lord Shiva and Parvati to seek a blissful married life.

Among the many legends associated with Maha Shivratri are the marriage of Shiva and Shakti and Ganga’s descent from the heavens to the earth. Maha Shivratri also marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava” dance.

Devotees offer Bael or golden apple to Lord Shiva and chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord Om Namah Shivaya on this day, which is celebrated across India.

According to the Hindu Mythology, Maha Shivratri is associated with the marriage of Shiva and Parvati and is observed on the 13th night /14th day of the Hindu month of Phalguna or Maagh every year.

In temples, offerings of Bael leaves to Shiva are made along with observing all-day fasting and night-vigil with chants of “Om Namah Shivaya”. Some devotees perform special rituals and penances to gain boons by the practice of Yoga and meditation to attain moksha or salvation.

District administration made tight security arrangements at temples to avoid any untoward incident. The Mango range office has made elaborate arrangements to prevent a man-animal conflict and ensure a safe and peaceful Shivratri.

 About 50,000 devotees mostly from Jamshedpur, Chandil and Ghatshila trek the  Dalma hill to reach the  Shiv temple at the top. Most of the devotees have already started the trek while some would do the exercise late evening.

Dalma divisional forest officials said they were aware of the situation and have accordingly taken measures to ensure safety of the devotees. The temple is 16 km from Makulakocha entry point and 8 km from Fadlugora.