SHRI MAHASHIVARATRI UTSAV-2008
Shri Shivakrishna Mandir of Hubli in Karnataka, with 90 years of History behind it, was bustling with activity on the occasion of Shree Mahashivaratri Utsav from 4th to 10th March, 2008. The Holy presence of our Revered Guru Param Poojya Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji, gave the Utsav a sanctified atmosphere and splendour.
On
4th, H. H. Shrimat Sadyojat
Shankarashram Swamiji’s motorcade
from Mumbai arrived sharp at the appointed time of 8:15 p.m. and Swamiji was received at the Shiva Krishna Mandir with the traditional Poorna
Kumbha and Paad Prakshalan into the
A melodious swagat geet followed a welcome presentation by the children of Hubli welcoming Swamiji for the mahashivaratri Utsav. President of the Shri Mahashivaratri Utsav Committee extended, on behalf of the Committee, the Hubli & Dharwad Local Sabhas and all the devotees attending the Utsav and Pooja, a very warm welcome to H.H.Swamiji, His Retinue and Vaidiks to the 9th Mahashivaratri Utsav. The Sabha meeting closed with devotees taking Dhool Bhet.
Swamiji in His brief Aashirvachan after the traditional Paad Pooja by the Presidents of Hubli & Dharwad Sabhas, expressed His happiness to be once again at the Holy Shiva Kshetra to perform the Mahashivaratri Pooja in 4 yaamas. Swamiji explained the significance of the Poojas.
On 5th morning, Paad Poojas were offered by devotees followed by Teertha Vitaran by H.H.Swamiji and Shri Bhiksha.
In the evening – Smt. Vibha Nayak of Udupi rendered a melodious vocal recital. Vibha Nayak is an upcoming artist and sang to enthrall all the devotees. It was followed by a beautiful drama by small children who performed ‘Samudra Manthan’. H.H.Swamiji enjoyed this drama. Swamiji conducted Shiva Poojan in the evening with more than 300 people joining in the Poojan.
The morning of 6th saw a large number of devotees arriving from various places in India and abroad to take part in the Maha Shivaratri Poojan. There was a flurry of activities since the morning when H. H. Swamiji performed Jalaabhishek at the Shiva Shrine. Later the President of the Committee took the Sankalp on behalf of all devotees to perform the 4 Yaama Poojas on Shivaratri night.
The evening function started with vocal recital by a young visually handicapped girl, Shakti Patil of Dharwad who rendered a vocal recital to the large audience present. It set the mood beautifully for the night long pooja that was to follow.
Shivaratri poojan started at 10 PM with H.H.Swamiji reciting Amogh Shiva Kavacha and its Dharana, followed by the Sankalp to perform the pooja through the night. The full night Anushthan pooja by H.H.Swamiji consisted of 4 Yaamas, with approximately half an hour breaks for Japa in between. The pooja concluded by 6:00 AM after which H.H. Swamiji blessed devotees with Teertha Vitaran.
It was heartening to note that each year more and more devotees are joining in performing the pooja alongwith H. H. Swamiji through all four Yaamas through the night. This year nine devotees performed the pooja as compared to four last year and we expect more such participation in the years to come.
The very elated and spiritually fulfilled group of devotees went home to rest a while and be back for the afternoon pooja.
The evening of 7th witnessed a colourful Palki procession that went around for about an hour and half. The devotees singing Bhajans accompanied by Shahanai, danced their way through the streets of Hubli carrying the idols of Lord Bhavanishankar and Shri Krishna the procession led by H.H.Swamiji.
The Samarpan Samarambha of the Utsav took place in the evening of 8th with the Vaidik Sambhavana and felicitation of the students, who have won accolades by securing awards for their academic brilliance, at the hands of H.H.Swamiji.
Lastly, the President of the Mahashivaratri Utsav Committee on behalf of all the devotees offered Kanaka Abhishek and the function concluded with H. H. Swamiji offering Mantrakshata to all.
As always, all the devotees who attended the Maha Shivaratri Utsav, went back spiritually charged and with a resolve to come back again next year to take part in the Utsav.