On 21st February, Mahashivratri celebrations were held with utmost pomp and splendor in Vadodara. This day denotes the celebration of a sacred union between Lord Shiva and Parvati. This festival comprises of fasting, meditating, social harmony and night vigil at Shiva temples. This night marks the overcoming darkness and ignorance in one’s life. Fruits, sweets, milk, flowers and bel patra are offered and the Shiv ling is bathed with milk and/or water.
Vadodara celebrated Mahashivratri with great enthusiasm just like every year. Only this time, Vadodara was greeted with a revamped Sursagar with clean water and beautiful lightings. Like every year, this year also ‘Shivji ki Savari’, which is a chariot ride where Shivji and his family members are seated on Nandi, was followed by a huge procession where people could be sighted posing as, Lord Shiva, saints, Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Dev Anand etc. There were dance performances also. School students could also be seen participating and wearing different costumes. The chariot ride covered the main city areas like SSG road, Raopura, Khanderao Market, Raj Mahal road and other areas of Vadodara. People from around had gathered to be a part of this procession and also view the magnificent sight of Lord Shiva’s ride on Nandi.
In the evening the Sarveshwar Mahadev Idol’s maha aarti was marked by the presence of Honorable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Vijay Rupani and his wife. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also supposed to grace the aarti with his presence, but for some undisclosed reasons, he wasn’t present there.
The beautiful set up of lights in the evening of Mahashivratri and a clean lake was a treat to the eyes. Along with that, the chants and prayers hummed by the public for Lord Shiva, could be heard in synchronization, with the ringing bells and sound of the conch which was melodious to the ears. The piety amongst the devotees created an ambience of deep obeisance and devotion.
The heart of Vadodara, reverberated with the hums and chants of Lord Shiva and the spirit of the devotees!
