MONTCLAIR, CA: On March 5, Maha Shiva Rathri was celebrated with great joy and fervor at the Vedic Temple. This was the first Shiva Rathri celebration held at the Vedic Temple since it was inaugurated under the auspices of Paramahamsa Nithyananda in November of 2007. The temple houses a Shiva Linga which is the replica of the Linga at Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai). It is said that to think of Arunachala ensures liberation.

Through the night, the temple saw more than 400 people participate in the celebration and about 100 people who stayed through the entire night and breaking their fast early in the morning.As per the Puranas - ancient scriptures, Shiva promised his consort Parvati that he would be available for everyone on this day. The Clairvoyance on this day is such that on this day any samskaras (engraved memories) we create in us become permanent and strong.

Spending the Shiva Rathri day in worship and meditation helps carve our inner space with peace and bliss so that they remain more permanent and strong in us.The celebrations were held in a unique way. Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Guru in addition to the worship of Shiva as the Shiva Linga - Anandeshwara. All the moorthies here have been installed and energized by an Enlightened Master - Paramahamsa Nithyananda.

The celebrations started at the temple with the chief priest sharing Paramhamsa's simple, but profound message on the significance of Maha Shiva Rathri. 'Shiva' means causeless auspicious energy. 'Rathri' means intensity. On this day, the intense causeless auspicious energy happens and is immediately available for everyone. 'Shivam' is the state of understanding and experiencing that everything that happens is 'mangalatwa' or auspiciousness.

Life is continually moving us forward. We accept some moments and reject some but anything and everything that happens is for our progress. Living in this state is Shivam.The message was followed by the first Abhishekam - offering of water, sandal, turmeric, milk etc. Many devotees were awestruck as they got to see Anandeshwara - the main deity of the Vedic Temple - without his usual decorations and paraphernalia, ready for the Abhishekam.

The first Abhishekam was performed by the Poojacharya Sri Nithya Aikiyananda Maharaj, to the sound of resonant chanting of Rudram. This was followed by the offering of milk Abhishekam by one and all that gathered on this special occasion. The offering of the milk signified the attitude of surrender to existence and a gesture of gratitude. While people queued up for their turn to offer the Abhishekam, the entire gathering participated in enchanting Bhajans, led by Sri Nithya Bhaktapriyananda Maharaj. Everyone gathered got to go up the altar to offer their gratitude to Anandeshwara and pray for the year ahead.

The Abhishekam was followed by the Alangkar or decoration of the deity. Anandeshwara was decked in beautiful flower garlands as he donned the Pushpa Alangkara - flower decoration. The flower garlands were especially hand-crafted by the devotees who spent the entire day creating these beautiful offerings. Special poojas and archanas were conducted for all the patrons and sponsors of the Temple. This was followed by the Arthi or light ritual and 108 different food items were offered for the deities. This was then offered as energized food for the devotees to partake. Then followed Life Bliss Meditation - Nithya Dhyaan, meditation cognized by Paramahamsa.

This meditation works on all the 5 koshas - Annamaya kosha, Pranamaya kosha, Manomaya kosha, Vignanamaya kosha and Anandamaya kosha. This was followed by the practice of Nithya Yoga. The curtains then unveiled Anandeshwara decked completely in rudraksha. Arthi was then performed at the dawn of the new day.

Devotees then broke the fast with the prasad offered to Anandeshwara. In the healing energy field established by Enlightened Master, Paramahamsa Nithyananda, worship was experienced as a deep meditation. Paramahamsa is ushering in a Vedic Renaissance for contemporary times. Paramahamsa has established more than 10 Vedic Temples across the United States including Columbus (OH), Oklahoma City (OK), Orlando (FL), St.Louis (MO), San Jose (CA), Seattle (WA), New York(NY) and Vancouver (BC). Swamiji, on his next tour to the US, will be commenting on Patanjali Yoga Sutras.