Saints from Akharas Gather in Varanasi for Maha Shivratri Festivities
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Synopsis
As Varanasi prepares for Maha Shivratri, saints from various Akharas have convened, igniting sacred fires and offering prayers along the Ganga. Their pilgrimage highlights the spiritual significance of Kashi, culminating in the festival on February 26, coinciding with the Maha Kumbh Mela's conclusion in Prayagraj.
Key Takeaways
- Saints from Akharas have arrived in Varanasi for Maha Shivratri.
- Kashi holds immense spiritual significance for the pilgrims.
- The festival falls on February 26 this year.
- Maha Shivratri honors Lord Shiva and involves fasting and rituals.
- The festivities coincide with the end of the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Varanasi, Feb 7 (NationPress) As the sacred city of Varanasi welcomes the essence of Maha Shivratri, the brilliant aura of the Maha Kumbh that once shone over Prayagraj now illuminates the banks of the Ganga.
Saints from various Akharas have established their encampments in Varanasi, conducting prayers and igniting holy fires along the riverbanks. For them, Kashi is not merely a destination but the apex of spiritual importance, with the complete sanctity of the Maha Kumbh deemed incomplete without a pilgrimage to this hallowed city.
In an interview with IANS, Dashnam Puri of Juna Akhara remarked, "After our time in Prayagraj, we arrived here on February 5, after a sacred bath in the Ganga. Our journey commenced on January 7, and after paying homage at the holy shrines of Kashi, including Bhairav Mahakal Ji and Kashi Vishwanath Maharaj, we established our spiritual sanctuary. This site, the essence of Kashi, serves as our preparation for penance. On February 26, we will participate in the wedding ceremony of Bholenath at Shiv Tirtha and return blessed.
Rudra Giri Maharaj, also from Juna Akhara, added, “Maha Shivratri in Varanasi carries profound significance following Prayagraj. It’s not merely a celebration; it’s a spiritual transition from the divine world to the earthly plane. The festivities here will be grand, with devotees residing at the ghats all day, immersing themselves in devotion.
Bhumanand Bharati, another saint from Juna Akhara, shared his spiritual experience: "I arrived from Haryana after engaging in the Amrit Snans at Prayagraj. Now, here in Kashi Vishwanath, the abode of Lord Sada Shiva, I deeply connect with my Akhara. At the sacred Hanuman Ghat, we meditate and undertake penance on the banks of the Ganga. On Maha Shivratri, we will perform a Shahi Snan in the Ganga and, after receiving blessings from Baba, will return to our meditation site.
Maha Shivratri is a pivotal festival for Hindus, celebrated annually to honor Lord Shiva. The festival takes place at the end of winter, either in late February or early March, just before the onset of summer.
It is observed every year on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the month of Phalgun, which aligns with February or March in the Gregorian calendar. Devotees fast throughout the day and night, offering prayers and performing rituals to venerate Lord Shiva.
This year, the festival will be observed on February 26. It coincides with the concluding day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest spiritual gatherings, occurring in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
