Maha Sivarathri-- Devotees throng Rameswaram
Posted on: 27/Feb/2014 10:46:13 AM
Rameswaram is the most respected temple town. Thousands of pilgrims, mostly from north India, congregated in the island to take part in Masi Maha Sivarathri, one of the grand Hindu festivals on Thursday.
Devotees have been thronging Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the shrines dedicated to Lord Siva, right from February 20 when the 12-day Masi Maha Sivarathri festival began with the flag-hoisting.
A large number of devotees and Sadhus from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Gujarat started flocking the pilgrim centre to attend the Thursday’s Maha Sivarathri, celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva.
Devotees would be awake the whole night on Thursday as special ‘Aaru Kala Pooja’ and ‘Naalu Kala Pooja’ would be performed for the Swamy and Ambal in the temple.
After observing the Maha Sivarathri, the devotees would break the fast on Friday, after taking a holy bath. The ‘Nadai’ in the temple would remain opened throughout the night, temple authorities said.
The Maha Sivarathri would be followed by a grand car festival on Friday. Besides the main deities of Sri Ramanathaswamy and Parvathavardhini, Vinayagar, Murugan and Chandigesewarar would be taken out in a procession in decorated cars around the temple in four car streets.
