HARISH RAO
CHICAGO: Chicago Hindu Mandir of Lake County in Grayslake, a northeast suburb of Chicago, organized Maha Shivratri celebration from the night of March 4 to the morning of March 5.
More than 700 devotees of all age groups visited the temple even on the working day and in the cold weather and offered prayers to Lord Shiva.
The temple arranged two altars with small Lord Shiva Lingam and provided milk and Bilva Patra to all the devotees to offer and seek his blessings on this auspicious day.
Temple priests Pandit Anil Joshi , Pandit Ganesh and Shri Yogesh Pandey presented four special Abhishekams followed by special Alankarams at three-hour intervals, with Samohika Sankalpam, Archana and Mangalarati. The first Abhishekam of Lord Shiva started at 6.30pm. Every Alankaram of the large Lord Shiva Lingam was different and unique. All devotees enjoyed the gorgeous Alankarams.
Many devotees spent the night chanting verses and hymns in praise of Lord Shiva because it is believed that Jagarana (whole night worship) dispels ignorance and emanates the light of knowledge.
Beautiful devotional bhajans were sung by Rita Patel and Ravi during the time between the Abhishekams and Alankarams. Devotees also chanted Shiva Ashtotram and Shiva Vandana with utmost religious fervor along with the priests.
The temple kitchen arranged both regular and special Prasadam to the non-fasting and fasting devotes respectively.
“Lord Shiva is the supreme power, both creator and destroyer,” one devote said. “I am observing fast today and love to come to this temple to participate in the special Abhishekams and to receive blessings for the family.”
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