Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 18: Maha Shivratri was today observed with religious fervour across Kashmir, while the biggest gathering was held at Shankaracharya temple.
Hundreds of devotees were seen thronging the temple early in the morning and participated in special prayers which were held there on the occasion.
The excited devotees expressed their joy and happiness for being able to reach Srinagar and join Maha Shivratri celebrations.
“I have come from England and it is good to be here to take part in the celebrations; the day holds a great importance as Maha Shivratri is celebrated in honour of the wedding of Shiva with Parvati,” Sokher Ranchi said.
She said that she has been able to attend Maha Shivratri celebrations for the first time in Srinagar.
“I often come to Srinagar, but I have been able to make it on today’s occasion for the first time; we prayed for happiness and prosperity of the humans,” Ranchi said.
Another devotee, Vinod Kumar, said that Maha Shivratri teaches people how to lead a life with greater emphasis on setting up a family and living an ideal life.
The devotees said that they have prayed for the peace and prosperity of the world, especially for the peace to the souls of those who died in earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria.
“For them, at 3:30 am, we carried out Rudra Abhishek and Havan Yagya,” Vidu Sharma, another devotee said.
He said that Maha Shivratri shaped the world and lessons were given by Bhagwan Shiv to humanity on how to lead lives.
Priyanka Kuldi who reached Shankaracharya from Maharashtra said that paying a visit to the Shiv temple is altogether a different experience.
“It is beautiful and praying here is soulful; I feel great; I have come here as a tourist and someone told us about the Shiv temple, we were left with no option but to pay a visit. It is amazing; people are welcoming,” she said.
Meanwhile, on the festival of Maha Shivratri today, a Muslim couple from Rajasthan was one of the many worshippers who offered water to Lord Shiva at the Martand Sun Temple in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Zoya Khan, who is married to Faizan Khan from Rajasthan, said that it is an auspicious day, “and there is nothing we (Muslims) cannot go to a temple; we had planned to observe how people celebrated it here,” she said.
“I’ve heard about Shivratri from my mother. Although being Muslims, we appreciate this fest, we adhere to it,” she maintained.
Before travelling to Kashmir, Zoya claimed she had idea that there would be tensions between Muslims and Hindus in the region.
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