Kozhikode city is in a festive mood of Maha Shivaratri, which falls on 20th February. Thousands of devotees will undertake fast on the day and avoid sleep in the night to please Lord Shiva.
Various traditional and cultural festivities are ongoing in famous Shiva temples like Thali Mahadeva, Sree Kanteswaram, Shivapuri, Bilathikkulam and Ollur…Special poojas and offerings are arranged in these temples.
Many devotees accompanied pradakshinam, a traditional temple procession with caparisoned elephants and chenda melam that marked the initiations at Sreekanteswara temple.
Music shows, dance programs, bhajana, ottam thullal were also arranged on the occasion.
Shreekanteswaram temple committee organized a procession, surrounding the city. Kavatiyattom, karakayattom and chendamelam added color to the procession led by the temple authorities.
Shivanamakeerthanam, aksharaslokam also marked the festive mood in Shiva temples along with children’s art competitions, spiritual discourses etc.
Kazchaseeveli at Sreekanteswara temple in Kozhikode as part of Shivaratri festival
Mythology behind Maha Shivaratri:
According to the Hindu mythology; Lord Shiva swallowed Kalakoodam, the dangerous venom originated as the result of Palazhimadhanam to save the universe from destruction. Goddess Parvathy tried to stop Her husband from swallowing it and held her hands firmly at His neck and the venom was retained in His throat. Later the Lord’s neck turned blue colour. Lord Siva, thus called Neelakanta.
