BENSENVILLE: The popular Hindu festival of Mahashivratri was celebrated at Manav Seva Mandir in Bensenville with great devotion and enthusiasm last week.Even though it was a working day, devotees kept streaming in to perform Shiva's Abhishek and worship throughout the day on March 5 and 6. More than 1,000 people from all over the Chicago land area converged to the temple in the evening of March 5.

The evening celebrations commenced with the Darshana of specially prepared Shiva statue of ice with Mount Kailash in the background. The ice sculpture gave a striking resemblance to Lord Shiva residing in the Himalayas. Milk Abhishek on the Shivlings continued from 5 pm till 11 pm. Continuous melodious Bhajan kirtan was recited by the devotees with great passion for Lord Shiva. After the regular Arti, devotees started singing the Shivmahimnastrotra, while Abhishek continued. Mahapuja of Lord Shiva was performed by the yajmans at 11 pm. The Maha Shiva Arti was performed at midnight. Mahaprasad was served to all the devotees.

The next day was no different. Devotees kept coming to the temple to view the ice sculpture and perform milk Abhishek. More than 500 devotees were present at the Arti time. Prasad was served to all the happy devotees.

The next major program in the month of March will be the Holi celebration in the evening at 5-30 pm on March 21. Mahashivaratri was celebrated in many other temples of Chicago Land, including Hindu Temple of Lemont, Chinmaya Mission, Manav Seva Mandir, Bharat Sevashram Sangha.

Thousands of people joined the devotional offerings to Lord Shiva. The special rites of this festival are holding nightlong vigil chanting the holy names of Shiva and fasting till morning. It is only the following morning that devotees break their fast by partaking Prasad offered to the deity.Shivaratri falls on the 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar.

There are many legends about the story of Shivaratri. According to one, it marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the 'Tandava', the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. Another popular Shivratri legend states that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees.

Various traditions and customs related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water.

Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband.The Maha Mrityunjay Mantra or Lord Shiva Mantra is considered extremely powerful and significant by the Hindus.

Also known as the Moksha Mantra of Lord Shiva, chanting of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is said to create divine vibrations that heals. Devotees of Lord Shiva further believe that Maha Mrityunjay evokes the Shiva within human beings and removes the fear of death, liberating one from the cycle of death and rebirth.In Kashmir, the Shivratri festival is held for 15 days. The 13th day is observed as a day of fast followed by a family feast.