Mahashivratri was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervor throughout the Himachal Pardesh with traditional gaiety and fervor today.
The temples were beautifully decorated and illuminated. The main function was held at Baijnath in Kangra and Mahakaleshwar temple at Kaleshwar near Jawalamukhi in Dehra sub divison of Kangra district. Thousands of devotees were seen standing in a queue to pay their obeisance. Special discourses relating to Shiv Puran and lord Shiva were held. Bhajan and kirtan were organised at diffrent places and the shiv mahima recited. The temples flooded with devotees with wishes in their hearts, which they want to share with the 'Bhole Nath'. The chanting of 'Om Namah Shivaya' and ringing of temple bells was heard from all the Shiva temples.
In Jawalamukhi, devotees were seen at famous shrine of Jawalamukhi. The devotees started queuing up here since early morning and waited for hours to pay obeisance. Similarly, devotees thronged at various temples of the town to performed puja.
In his message, Himachal C M Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that the people of the State have been celebrating the festival with traditional fervour and gaiety since the time immemorial. He said that the festival marked special prayer services in the prominent shrines of Lord Shiva and every family associate itself actively with all such festivities. He said that Himachal Pradesh was known as the abode of Lord Shiva and Shivratri has its own vital significance. He further said that such festivals were instrumental in strengthening the bonds of universal brotherhood and social harmony.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu have felicitated the people of the state on the eve of Shivratri. They have conveyed their good wishes to the people on this auspicious occasion.
Governor said that Shivratri was one of the most important festival of the state, which is celebrated with gaiety and fervour. He hoped that this auspicious occasion would bring peace and prosperity into the lives of people.