The members of the New England Shirdi Sai Parivaar, who are building North America’s largest Sai temple in Groton, MA, will be celebrating Mahashivratri on Friday, Feb. 24, at the temple premises at 290 Littleton Road in Chelmsford, MA.

On this auspicious occasion, dances will be performed by about 200 students with 1,116 Shiva Lingas.

According to the NESSP officials, the celebrations will take place from 10 am morning to 6 pm. About 200 dance students will perform classical dances for about eight hours which is the longest ever conducted by the Parivaar in the United States.

Maha Shivratri is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by Hindus all around the world. The devotees of Lord Shiva chant prayers throughout the Shiva Ratri night to please the Lord. Devotees also offer honey, milk, and water to the Shiva Linga to satisfy the supreme power.

When is Maha Shivratri?

In 2017, the Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on February 24, 2017. Many Vedas claim that the auspicious Maha Shivratri day (14th day of the Phalguna month) marks the union of Shiva and Sakthi. Devotees also believe that Shiva used to perform Tandava Nritya on this night, and it is believed to be the most sacred festival for the Hindus across the world.

A special celebration for the women community

Married and unmarried women observe fasting to please Goddess Parvati during the Maha Shivratri. Devotees believe that worshipping Goddess Parvati during the Shivratri day will help them to get a good husband like Lord Shiva, thereby assuring a prosperous married life.

There are various mythologies associated with Shivratri.

As per Shiva Purana, a devotee who is observing Shivaratri Vrata with devotion and passion will get peace, prosperity, and bliss for the rest of their lives.

Shiva Temples all over the world are expected to witness huge rush on the auspicious Shivratri day. The banks of the river Periyar in Kerala, India will have 250 ‘bali tharas’ and over 500 priests to help followers with the observance.
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