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The Nandi Bull at Mysore (the biggest in India) - Shiva's charge and animal symbol of the god's virility.
When:
Mar 2009 (annual)
Where:
India
All over India, on a moonless night, the Maha Shivratri is celebrated. This is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.
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Devotees of Shiva fast during the day and maintain a long vigil during the night. In temples all across the country, bells ring, sacred texts are chanted and traditional offerings of leaves and milk are made to the Shiva lingam, the phallic symbol of the god.
On the day of Shivratri, the lingam is bathed with the five sacred offerings of a cow, called the panchagavya - milk, sour milk, urine, butter and dung. Thereafter the five foods of immortality - milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar - are placed before the lingam. Dhatura and jati, though poisonous fruits, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered at his temple.
Devotees keep a fast (vrat) on Shivratri and observe strict rules, to gain good karma. Special celebrations are held at important Shiva temples at Chidambaram, Kalahasi, Khajuraho and Varanasi. Worship of Shiva is said to release the worshipper from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
On the day of Shivratri, the lingam is bathed with the five sacred offerings of a cow, called the panchagavya - milk, sour milk, urine, butter and dung. Thereafter the five foods of immortality - milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar - are placed before the lingam. Dhatura and jati, though poisonous fruits, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered at his temple.
Devotees keep a fast (vrat) on Shivratri and observe strict rules, to gain good karma. Special celebrations are held at important Shiva temples at Chidambaram, Kalahasi, Khajuraho and Varanasi. Worship of Shiva is said to release the worshipper from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
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