Rush in city temples on Mahashivratri

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 21

Cave shrines and ancient temples today witnessed heavy rush of devotees across the region who thronged these places to pay obeisance to lord Shiva on Mahashivratri.

Serpentine queues were seen at the famous Lord Shiva temples at Aap Shambhu temple in Roopnagar, Peerkho, Ranbireshwar temple in Shalamar and Purmandal.

Special rituals were performed on Shivalingum. The devotees observed fast and paid obeisance.

All shrines of Lord Shiva, including ancient temples, which were decorated with colourful lightings and buntings witnessed huge rush as the devotees went there to offer prayers since early morning.

Mahashivratri — literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva — holds immense importance in Hindu religion and the festival celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati.

Adequate security arrangements were also made across the city, particularly around the famous Shiv temples. A large number of social organisations and devotees of Lord Shiva had organised langars (community kitchens) outside temples.

Besides, the Department of Fisheries conducted special sale of fish in the localities dominated by Kashmiri Pandit population to facilitate the community on Mahashivratri festival. The sale points were put to provide fresh fish in hygienic condition to the Pandits residing in Jammu district.

Besides Shiv Khori Temple Reasi, Shri Budha Amarnath Poonch, Rajpura Mandi, Dashnami Akhara, Shiv Kanhaiya Temple, Khakha Naban and Shiv Temple Kanoyian temple also witnessed a huge rush of people.

Heavy rush was witnessed at the temples of Lord Shiva in other parts of the state and thousands of pilgrims thronged to Peer Kho and Shiv Khori, where the Tourism Department organised a mela.