Published on - 2/19/2004
Maha Shivarathri Day alias God Siva\'s holy night, one of the most important and holiest festivals of the Hindus was celebrated on a grand scale on Wednesday (18) throughout Hindu temples (Kovil) in the northeast and elsewhere in the country.
God Siva\'s divine birth at a time when the world was at its apex of moral decadence, according to the Indian chronicle, Bagavathgeeta brought an end to adversity and led the world towards prosperity and progress.
Facilitation of devotees through Entry/Exit points at Uyilankulam, Omanthai and Madhu Road junction from early hours on Tuesday (17) after the Ministry of Defence decided to keep these entrances open for traffic exclusively to honour this great event of the Hindus, saw a considerably high turnout of devotees thronging the temples in Mannar, Trincomalee, Jaffna and elsewhere mainly due to the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the country.
The ceremony at Thirukeeteshwaran Temple in Manthai, Mannar drew huge crowds this time since security arrangements remained relaxed in the area on account of this holy commemoration. Sri Ponnabalameshwaran temple at Kotahena and Kompagnnavidiya Murugan temple were two of the most leading ones that attracted hundreds of devotees on this sacred day.
Several similar commemorative special Pujas and offerings were made by hundreds of devotees at northeast temples such as Murugan Kovil, Sri Valliamman Kovil, Thoppur Pullaiyyar Kovil, etc during this period of commemoration.
