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Mahashivaratri – the auspicious Hindu festival in reverence of Lord Shiva – was celebrated with piety at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Thursday 27 February 2014.
Sadhus at the Mandir began the festivities by performing the ritual bathing of the Shivalinga in the morning.
Devotees and visitors throughout the day paid their respects to an ice Shivalinga displayed in the Haveli entrance. The Shivalinga, a representation of the popular Hindu deity symbolising his energy and potentiality, provided a reminder of the sacred pilgrimage town of Amarnath in India where a natural ice Shivalinga exists.
As part of the celebrations at the Mandir, devotees and visitors had the opportunity to offer Shiva-puja with bilva-patra (bael leaves) and perform abhishek (ceremonial bathing) of the Shivalinga with milk throughout the day.
A colourful annakut (religious offering of food for thanksgiving) was artistically arranged, in which a variety of ‘falahar’ items were offered at the shrines of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Shiva-Parvati.
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