GRAYSLAKE IL: Shivaratri celebrations at the Hindu Mandir of Grayslake were marked by devotion and religious fervor.
Hundreds of devotees coming to the temple had a pleasant surprise waiting for them. A 15-foot high Kailash Parvat made out of snow greeted them near the main door to their astonishment and devotion.
A Shiva Linga, Nandi, Surya, Chandra and Garuda were set up on the mountain. The devotees and children along with their parents enjoyed watching the mountain which was done for the first time. The Kailas Parvat event was planned by Pandit Anil Joshi and Geetha-Godavari Patil.
Shani Pradosham was celebrated on March 9 while Mahashivaratri was celebrated on March 10, Phagun Krishna Chaturdasi. Devotees observed fast and spent the day in devotion and worship of Lord Shiva.
About 1500 hundred devotees from all Indian communities visited from morning till mid-night to offer milk to Lord Shiva to express their devotion by chanting Jai Shankar ki Jai Bholenath. People were waiting in queue for more than an hour to offer milk to Lord Shiva even though there were two Abhishekam Sthals.
President Harsh Kumar and Naveen Mishra with other committee members and several volunteers controlled the huge crowd. Evening Mahashivaratri pooja started with regular Sunday Ganesh Abhishekam followed by Archanas and Aratis of Lord Shiva by group of families after every one and half hours.
First Alankar and Archana were performed by Pt. Anil Joshi followed by a very elaborative Rudrabhishekam by Pandit Ganesh. Rudra chanting was performed by Rajagopalan, Srirajan, Laxmi Narayan, Prakash Ramchandran, Sivarama Krishnan. Then Rajo alankar with fruits and flowers was done to Lord Shiva by Pandit Anil Joshi.
Finally Shivaratri came to an end by the Vedic Archana performed by Ganeshji and Anil Joshiji. Special five panch Arati gave devotional light to the occasion. Unusual alankaras specially made by almonds and cashew nuts, fresh fruits and flowers added unique attraction to festivity. Pabhakar Joshiji explained in brief the importance of Shivaratri to the devotees.
Geetha Patil
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