Shiva Ratri Report 2007

Shiva Ratri Report 2007
	Lord Siva means auspicious and the atmosphere at the Hare Krishna Temple was certainly surcharged with auspiciousness as the festival of Shiva-Ratri began with an arati and kirtan to the presiding temple Deities, Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohan. Mahadeva, Lord Shiva offering a benediction After the arati, a wonderful lecture on Lord Shiva was given by his grace Bhava Das (ACBSP). The Natya Shastra Theatre Troupe performed a splendid live theatre adaptation of an episode from the Srimad Bhagavatam which told the history of the descent of the Ganges. In this drama Bhagirath, (Haridham Das) whose ancestors were burned to ashes due to their unwarranted attack on Lord Kapila, requests Lord Shiva (Bk Peter) to assist him in bringing Mother Ganga (Ishvarini Sharma) to the earthly planet in order to deliver his ancestors by having their ashes come in contact with her celestial waters. Ganga's descent from the heavenly planets falls on the head of Lord Shiva who subdues her hard force so as not to drive the earthly planet to the lower regions of the universe. Bhagirath is grateful to Lord Shiva who helps bring Ganga to the eartly planet to deliver his forefathers so he concludes the play by worshiping him. Young Haunaman set the highest standard for serving prasadam on Shiva-Ratri. He served prasadam in the outside tent for the whole evening thus receiving the "Best Server Award" Mr. & Mrs. Subash Gupta, the festivals principal donors, bathing Shiva Lingam while being assisted by pujaris Lord Shiva being worshiped by Bhagirath after Lord Shiva assisted him in bringing the Ganges to Earth so that his ancestors could be delivered Ganga offering prayers to Lord Shiva after she descended to the Earthly realm Blissful Devotee after offering Pushpa (flowers) to Lord Shiva residing on Mount Kailash His Grace Bhava Das (ACBSP) in front of Lord Shiva's Mount Kailash Speaking on Lord on Lord Shiva Following the drama, the glorification to Lord Siva then started with the wonderful prayers and chant of Om Namo Sivah and the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. The melodious chanting resounded throughout the temple. As the chanting continued everyone offered flowers to Lord Siva who was residing in a Cave on his *Mount Kailash* and performed the *Abhisheka* by pouring warm milk and Bael Leaves over Shiva Lingam. Throughout the evening a wonderful feast was continuously distributed from the big tent in front of the temple. All those present were feeling spiritually uplifted and were looking forward to attending the next upcoming festival Gaura Purnima and Holi on Saturday March 3rd.