HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Feb 26: On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, accompanied by the First Lady of Assam, Kumud Devi, visited the Bhima Shankar temple at Pamohi on Wednesday.
During his visit, Acharya performed Puja and offered his prayers for the well-being and prosperity of all sections of society.
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Emphasising the significance of Shivaratri, he stated that worshipping Lord Shiva is a symbol of meditation, prayer, and fasting.
This sacred occasion also underscores the importance of reflecting on the ethics and virtues associated with Lord Shiva.
The governor further expressed his hope that the devout feelings associated with the festival would inspire individuals to embody the values of honesty, charity, and forgiveness.
He believed that this celebration would help people understand the essence and greatness of Lord Shiva.
Our Dibrugarh correspondent adds: Devotees from all across Dibrugarh gathered at the 200-years old Prachin Shiv Mandir during the morning hours to observe Maha Shivratri on Wednesday.
Devotees were seen waiting in a queue from early morning infront of the Shiv Mandir.
“Every year, we come here to observe Shivratri. We have performed our puja and we would also thank the organisers for holding the Shivratri in a well organised way,” said Bulbul Sharma, a resident of Dibrugarh.
The devotees offered prayers and worship at various Shiv temples across Dibrugarh and many people observed fasting during that auspicious day.
Over thousands of devotees visited the historic Raidongia Dol situated at Lezai-Khalkhowa area in Dibrugarh during Shivratri.
The Dol was built in 1750 by the Ahom King Swargadeo Parmatta Singha.
“Every year during Shivratri, we come to Raidongia Dol to pray for the good health and well being of my family members and every citizen. I urge the government of Assam to take steps for the preservation of the historic Dol,” said a resident of Dibrugarh.
Our Margherita Correspondent adds: The celebration of Mahashivratri, a significant Hindu festival honouring Lord Shiva, was celebrated with huge gaiety, enthusiasm and devotion here at Margherita.
The celebrations began early in the morning, with devotees taking a holy bath in the nearby rivers and streams as they then gathered at the local Shiva temples, where they offered prayers, and offerings to the deity.
The temples were decorated with colorful lights, flowers and other ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere.
The devotees also performed the sacred ritual of Rudra Abhishek, where they bathed the Shivlinga with milk, honey and holy water as this ritual is believed to cleanse the soul and seek divine blessings.
Dil Bahadur Chetry general secretary of Mahashivratri celebration committee of Jharna Basti, Ledo said that Mahashivratri is considered a sacred night for spiritual awakening and divine connection as it is believed that the planetary positions on this night create an ideal atmosphere for meditation and spiritual practices as the festival is also associated with the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, the union of Shiva and Parvati, and a night for seeking liberation and divine blessings.
Dil Bahadur Chetry also said that Lord Shiva temple of Jharna Basti, Ledo was established in the year 1948 where today more than 5000 devotees attended from Margherita Co-District area irrespective of caste, creed, race, language and religion and prayed to almighty Lord Shiva.
During the night hours, devotees gathered for a night-long vigil, chanting prayers and singing bhajans as the celebrations will conclude with a grand cultural programme and a distribution of prasad among the devotees said Dil Bahadur Chetry.
Our Demow Correspondent adds: People thronged to the Mandir in Demow and offered prayers to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Wednesday.
Shiva Mandir in Thowra Bamunbari near Demow and Shiva Doul in Sivasagar also witnessed huge crowds of people who gatheres here to offer their prayers and offerings to Lord Shiva on the auspicious day.
Under the patronage of Raichai Sarbajanin Shiv Mandir Operating Committee, Shivratri and Bhaona Organising Committee, and in Association with Raichai, Konwar Dehingia, Kenduguri, and the people of the surrounding areas, Maha Shivratri started in Raichai Shiv Mandir premises from Wednesday.
Our Kheroni correspondent adds: On the eve of Mahashivratri, hundreds of devotees from across the region gathered in Mailoo Basti village under Kheroni Police Station in West Karbi Anglong district to participate in the annual “Kalash Yatra”, a vibrant procession from the revered Baram Baba Sthan to the Mailoo Raisen Dayang River ghat.
The event, marked by spiritual fervor, saw participants of all ages carrying flags and traditional mud pots (Kalash) to collect holy water from the river for Yagya rituals.
The Baram Baba Sthan, a site of faith and divine beauty since its establishment in 1958, served as the starting point for the procession. Committee leaders, including President, Bhagwan Dayal Singh (SGB), Secretary, Banshu Chauhan, and Finance Secretary, Mital Chauhan, orchestrated the event alongside volunteers.
The yatra also received institutional support, with Rina Terangpi, local Member of Autonomous Council (MAC) of 9th Amreng constituency and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Executive Member, allocating Rs 10 lakhs for constructing a community hall (which is under construction) to streamline future celebrations.
Speaking to reporters, committee member Tripurari Chauhan highlighted that the 24-hour “hawanatmak yagya” (sacred fire ritual) today began at 1:26 pm and will conclude today at the same time, with the distribution of mahaprasad—sweets, khichdi, and sanctified water.
Former committee president Harkhu Chauhan reminisced about initiating the yagya in the early 1990s during his tenure, emphasising its growth as a cornerstone of local tradition.
The spiritual fervour extended beyond Mailoo Basti, with massive gatherings reported at prominent Shiva temples across the district, including Mailoo Shiv Mandir, Kheroni Charali Shiv Mandir, and Shivbari Diphu.
As night falls, devotees continue to throng these sites, offering prayers and participating in rituals to honour Lord Shiva on this auspicious occasion.
The Kalash Yatra and accompanying ceremonies underscore the enduring cultural and religious significance of Mahashivratri in West Karbi Anglong, uniting communities in devotion and celebration.
Our Sivasagar correspondent adds: Thousands of devotees from across the country thronged to the historic Siva-doul on the occasion of Mahasivaratri on Wednesday.
People queued up from last evening to offer their prayers in the garbha-griha of the three century old Siva-doul built by Ahom queen Modambika, consort of the Ahom King Siva Singha.
It is considered as one of the tallest in the world.
Suresh Borthakur, the head priest of the temple conducted the puja during the day and began the next phase 9pm and wished the devotees to get blessings of Lord Siva.
Thousands gathered in the centrally protected monument every year on the Sivaratri night and also to visit over 500 shops in the Sivaratri mela.
The Sivaratri mela at Fuleswari HS School Field, and Station Chariali, organised by the Doul Development Committee in association with Sivasagar District Administration was inaugurated by Akhil Gogoi, MLA Sivasagar on Tuesday night.
Jorhat MP Gaurab Gogoi offered prayers in the historic temple on Wednesday along with the Congress party workers and expressed happiness over the enthusiasm shown by the devotees on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
