Maha-Shivaratri Celebrations
in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
on 13th February 2018

Right: Kumari Somashekhari is ready for her Temple-Dance Performance in Honour of Lord Shiva. She holds a fresh Mandara-Flower, dear to Lord Shiva, in her right hand, which she is going to offer to Gurudev and Lord Shiva before starting her dance-performance. Somashekhari wears traditional Temple-Dance Ornaments for this holy occasion.

Left: Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, and Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary and Bharatanatyam Dancer, are standing in front of the Shrine of Gurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and Lord Shiva, before the start of the Maha-Shivaratri Celebrations in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

In spite of a very cold North Indian winter night, devotees assembled
to celebrate Maha-Shivaratri in the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.

Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati heartily welcomed all devotees
for the Celebration of the holy Night of Lord Shiva.

From left to right:
Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, Shri Swami Satchidananda Puri
and Shri Swami Pragyananda Giri. 

As a part of the Maha-Shivaratri Celebrations Kumari Somashekhari performed
several Bharatanatyam Temple-Dances, glorifying the Greatness of Lord Shiva.

Kumari Somashekhari in the perfect Shiva Nataraja Pose

While dancing, Somashekhari is showing with the right hand
the "Hamsaasya Mudra" or "Chin-Mudra", which conveys deep mystical meanings.

On this occasion Shri Swami Satchidananda Puri (in the middle) informed
the devotees about some less known, but interesting spiritual and
cosmic/scientific facts concerning the holy night of Maha-Shivaratri.

The divine cultural part of the Maha-Shivaratri Celebrations in
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas concluded with a very heart-touching
and inspiring speech and divine Blessings by Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati.
Being himself an embodiment of immense Kindness and Compassion,
Swami Vishveshwarananda was the ideal person to make the devotees
understand the Kindness and Compassion of Lord Shiva.

The devotees are very happy and pleased to see Swami Vishveshwarananda
and listen to his words of divine Wisdom.

Afterwards, in all Shiva-Shrines of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
special Pujas for Lord Shiva were conducted by the Ashram Priests,
including Abhisheka, Archana with fresh Bilva leaves, recitation of Vedic Hymns,
Bhajan/Kirtan, Japa of Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra, Arati, etc.
This special worship continued throughout the whole night
till next morning, 14. February 2018, 4.30 AM.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA OM