MANGALORE, INDIA, March 3, 2008: Mangaloreans are gearing up to celebrate Maha Sivaratri and seek blessings from Siva, the destroyer of evil and ignorance. Sivaratri is a night of fasting, worship and meditation on Lord Siva, and it is being observed and celebrated with traditional gaiety and splendor at one of the most important temples in Mangalore, the Kudroli Gokarnath Temple. Crowds of devotees have started pouring in large numbers to offer their obeisance to Lord Siva. Various cultural programs also have been arranged as part of the celebrations. Devotees will worship throughout the night with bhajans and chanting of the mantra “Om Namah Sivaya”.
Sivaratri is being celebrated by Hindus across the world today. The cultural diversity of different communities marks the celebrations with different styles. While some devotees observe this day with great significance and abstain from food and sleep, while chanting the name of Lord Siva, it is also an auspicious occasion for women to pray for the birth of a virtuous child.