Performs Puja on Mahashivratri
Staff Reporter, Bhopal On Mahashivratri, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with his wife Smt. Sadhna Singh performed Puja at Gufa Mandir, Lalghati, Shri Badwale Mahadev Mandir and Pashupatinath Mandir, Govindpura here today.
On the occasion, he prayed for the state’s speedy development and happiness and prosperity of the people. Urban Administration & Development Minister Shri Babulal Gaur was also present on the occasion. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that service to people is itself worship of God. He took the pledge for carrying forward public service works with total commitment and dedication.
At Gufa Mandir, Chief Minister Shri Chauhan launched free public feast after worship. He performed Puja and Abhishek at Shri Badwale Mahadev Mandir. Following it, he launched Shiv Baraat procession by pulling chariot of Lord Shiva for some distance. Chief Minister Shri Chauhan participated in Swarn Kalash Sthapna Samaroh at Pashupatinath Mandir, Govindpura where the Nepali community presented a trident to him. State Mineral Resources Development Corporation Chairman Shri Rameshwar Sharma, MLA Shri Vishwas Sarang, Mahant Shri Chandrama Das, Shri Alok Sharma, Shri P.C. Sharma and Shri Govind Goyal were also present on the occasion.
A temple that opens for 12 hrs only on Maha Shivratri
CNS, Raisen: A temple of Lord Shiva, situated at a height of 556 ft on a historical fort in Madhya Pradesh’s, Raisen, is probably the country’s first such temple where devotees get a chance to offer puja for only 12 hours in a year.
The temple is opened on Mahashivaratri from 0600 to 1800 hrs in the presence of a district administration’s representative after obtaining permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). A fair is also organised on this occasion. The temple was handed over to ASI in 1958 after formation of Madhya Pradesh in 1956 and the temple remained locked as per the rules of the ASI. However, people lodge protest against the ASI’s decision and in a support to the people’s demand, the then Chief Minister Prakash Chandra Sethi went to the temple by a helicopter on Mahashivratri and offered puja in 1973. From that day onwards, the temple remains open for 12 hrs on this auspicious day and devotees offer puja in a large number and also take part in the fair.
