BY A STAFF REPORTER
RIVERSIDE, CA - The Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir held its annual Maha Shivaratri celebrations on Feb 13 with traditional fervor amidst the offering of prayers and `abhisheka,’ with over 1500 devotees in attendance. Days before the event the Mandir was beautifully decorated with the help of dozens of volunteers.
RIVERSIDE, CA - The Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir held its annual Maha Shivaratri celebrations on Feb 13 with traditional fervor amidst the offering of prayers and `abhisheka,’ with over 1500 devotees in attendance. Days before the event the Mandir was beautifully decorated with the help of dozens of volunteers.
The Shivaratri celebrations started early at 6 am and went on until after midnight. The priests performed the four major pujas throughout the day. In the evening, a grand puja and abhisheka was held along with the marriage of Shiva and Parvati and bhajans. At midnight, all devotees had darshan and maha aarti was held. Members of the Veda Circle chanted Rudri and other ancient prayers. Mahaprasad was given to both non-fasting and fasting devotees.