Assam: Maha Shivratri celebrations in Margherita sees huge gathering of devotees

The Maha Shivratri festival was celebrated with huge gaiety, enthusiasm and devotion at Margherita, on February 26. 
 

The celebrations began early this morning, with devotees taking a holy bath in the nearby rivers and streams before gathering at the local Shiva temples to offer prayers, flowers, and other offerings to the deity. 
 

The temples dedicated to Lord Shiva were beautifully decorated with colorful lights, flowers, and other ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere. 
 

Devotees also performed the sacred ritual of Rudra Abhishek, in which they bathed the Shivlinga with milk, honey, and holy water. This ritual is believed to cleanse the soul and seek divine blessings.
 

Dil Bahadur Chetry, General Secretary of the Mahashivratri Celebration Committee of Jharna Basti, Ledo, stated that Mahashivratri is considered a sacred night for spiritual awakening and divine connection. It is believed that the planetary positions on this night create an ideal atmosphere for meditation and spiritual practices. The festival is also associated with the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, the union of Shiva and Parvati, and a night dedicated to seeking liberation and divine blessings.
 

Chetry mentioned that the Lord Shiva temple of Jharna Basti, Ledo, was established in 1948, and today, more than 5,000 devotees from the Margherita Co-District area, regardless of caste, creed, race, language, or religion, attended the temple to pray to Almighty Lord Shiva.
 

During the night, devotees will gather for a night-long vigil, chanting prayers and singing bhajans. The celebrations will conclude with a grand cultural program and the distribution of prasad among the devotees, said Dil Bahadur Chetry.