MahaShivaratri is one of the holiest days in the Hindu Calendar. It is observed and celebrated across the globe with fasting, meditation , prayers ,puja and Jaagran(staying up through the night chanting the name of Bhagwan SHiva).
In Chinmaya Gurukul, this is a celebration observed with great fervor and devotion.
This time as is the case every year , the kids and parents got to do the puja during our Bala Vihar assembly. The assembly leads led the puja along with the yajamans who offered all Shodhasha Upachara(16 step Puja) . While the assembly offered flowers with great devotion, the Shiva Ashtothara Namavali was chanted and the vibrations of Om Namah Shivaya reverberated in all our hearts. Since we have 4 sessions, this format was followed in all sessions with dedicated volunteers helping kids with flowers , plates and then collecting them again.
The day for the actual Puja was Sunday Feb 15th . The expectation was that at least 150 -200 devotees would attend, as its one of the most well attended Pujas every year.
The puja started promptly at 6:00 pm. As everyone entered, they were greeted with beautiful music from the Swaranjali Team and tikka marks anointed by smiling sevaks. All the preparation was done, with Sundar Krishna looking beautiful in his new dress lovingly provided by a sevak. The altar was decorated with malas and all the puja items were ready .
The priest Ravi Shankar ji started the puja promptly at 6:00 with Ganesha Puja. The Mukhya Yajamans were seated on stage and we had 10 yajamans who were also going to follow along with the puja . The Abhishekham started with oil followed by Water, followed by milk, yogurt, ghee , Coconut water, Orange Juice, honey, sugar and Panchamrut. Bhagwan Shiva is considered ‘Abhisheka Priya’ and offering of these various items symbolizes the cleansing of ones mind through the one pointed pouring of the items. It is meditative ritual to purify our ego. Through all of this, Ganapathi Atharva Shirsham, Lagunyasam, Narayana Suktam, Purusha Suktam, Rudram and various other chants were led by Sushma ji and Ravi Shankar ji.
After this an abhishekham was done with Sandalwood, Turmeric and Kumkum paste. Bhagwan looked beautifully striking with his one half adorned in turmeric and the other one adorned in Kumkum. It was a powerful symbol of Prakriti and Purusha coming together.This was followed by Bhasmam Abhishekham . There is a beautiful significance to Bhasmam or the holy ash which represents matter which is constantly subject to change . We have to develop a detachment towards all worldly objects which are all matter.
After this the screen was drawn and the Swaranjali Team took over as the decoration was in progress. Beautiful bhajans transported the devotees to a spiritual realm as they waited to see Bhagwan in all his glory.
To the sound of conch, cymbals , Mridangam and the bell, the screen was opened and everyone feasted on Bhagwan in all his glory adorned in silk , gold , jewelry and flowers. After this the Shiva Ashtothara ShataNamavali , the 108 names of Bhagwan Shiva were chanted with great love and flowers offered for every name by the Mukhya Yajamans and all the Yajamans.
The Naivedya was offered which were brought in by all the devotees and after Mangal Arati and the priest singing ‘Om Mangalam’ , the puja concluded with cries of Har Har Mahadev.
The dining room was arranged with all the prasad. All the food was approved for fasting as a lot of people fast on Mahashivaratri day .
As we reflect on this celebration , we meditate on 2 beautiful names of Bhagwan , Neelakantha- The one who is capable of taking the poison we spew, transforming it and staying unaffected by it and the other name which is Ashutosh -One who is easily pleased. May Bhagwan be pleased with our devotion and help us overcome our negativities.
Om Namah Shivaay!!
