07 March,2024 01:41 PM IST | Vijayawada | mid-day online correspondent
Statue of Lord Shiva. Pic/Pixabay
Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer extended warm wishes to the people of the state on the eve of 'Maha Shivratri 2024'.
"On the auspicious occasion of 'Maha Shivratri 2024', I convey my hearty greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh. 'Maha Shivratri', is the most auspicious and significant spiritual festival for millions of devotees of Lord Shiva and the day is observed with fervour and devotion as it is considered highly auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on this day," the governor said.
"May this auspicious occasion inspire noble thoughts of love, affection, amity and brotherhood in all of us," he further said.
It's believed that while there is a Shivratri every lunisolar month of the Hindu calendar, the Maha Shivratri happens only once every year, in February or March, when winter comes to an end and spring and summer begin. It falls on March 8 this year.
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On this auspicious day, followers and devotees of Lord Shiva observe a fast and perform a special puja in several temples across the world. They offer milk to the Shivalinga and pray for Moksha.
Several devotees pray the whole night, and chant mantras in praise of Lord Shiva. Besides the celebrations of the marriage of Shiva and Shakti, unmarried women pray and observe fasts on the day to wish for a partner as compassionate as Lord Shiva. On this day, fairs and cultural programmes are also organised in various temples.
It is believed that those who perform puja, fast, and offer prayers to Lord Shiva are blessed with good luck. Many people also think that the Maha Shivaratri fast reminds devotees that pride, ego and falsehood lead to their downfall. Also, this is a day when positivity wins over negativity.
Meanwhile, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will be among a host of personalities who will be attending the Maha Shivratri 2024 celebrations in Coimbatore on March 8, Isha Foundation said on Wednesday.
'Sadhguru' Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of Isha, will lead a live and online audience through meditation sessions, it said in a release.
The event "will be graced by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar" and will feature performances by renowned artists such as Shankar Mahadevan, Gurdas Maan, Pawandeep Rajan and Rathijith Bhattacharjee, it said.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
