Shivaratri celebrations: For Lord Shiva, married women dress in their bridal finest

Clifton’s Shri Ratneswar Mahadev mandir celebrates goddess Parvati as well.

KARACHI:

Ringing the bell, Reena, with a glass of milk in her hand, joined the scores of people to pay tribute to the Shiv Ling, a round black representation of the Lord Shiva.

“This Shiv Ling is natural,” Reena said as she poured the pure while liquid over it for blessings. “No one knows where the milk goes. There is no outlet. We believe Lord Shiva drinks it.”

Thus, on Monday, devotees gathered at Shri Ratneswar Mahadev mandir in Clifton to celebrate Maha Shivaratri, a festival commemorating Lord Shiva.

The three-day festival also marks the marriage of Lord Shiva to goddess Parvati. “It is an auspicious occasion for us, which is why we have dressed up like brides,” explained Pooja, showing off her shimmery red sari and jewelry whose stones blinked in the fairy lights.

For the unmarried, the day held special meaning as they believed that the lord would bind them in a matrimonial knot soon. Pooja’s friend, who was too shy to be named, said, “I have prayed for a good husband. I know my prayers would be answered soon.”

Inside the temple, which was decorated with white balloons and marigold flowers, Mrs Parmeela Arjun peered at the large deities of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the former with a jeweled turban and the latter in her red bridal dress and gold jewelry.

Touching the glass window of the case, Arjun talked of her preparations. “I have made poori bujia at home and brought new clothes for my family. It is like Eid for us.” The previous night was spent with her family singing hymns in praise of the lord. Every year the biggest congregation on this festival is held at this temple, where thousands of people turn up with some coming from Hyderabad.

“We have come to enjoy the mela here. Back home, they don’t hold one,” said an elderly Munni. Sitting next to her, her relatives from Karachi ate potato rice in the courtyard, where free food was being distributed as langer or charitable offerings.

Matching the crowd inside the temple was a large number of people flocking to the stalls selling religious books, figurines, bindiyas.

Leelaram has been setting up a stall for audio cassettes of hymns, earthen lamps and CDs here for the past 45 years. “This is the time when we make huge sales. People want to celebrate the festival with full fervour.”

Completing the pooja or worship, a young Avinwash Tejwani said that he had started the day by drinking milk, as they believed it had been one of Lord Shiva’s habits. Some people also fast during the day. But one rule is that no weddings take place this day. “On this festival, we pay reverence to Lord Shiva. We don’t get married.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2012.