Celebrating the night of Shiva

Lakhs of devotees are thronging Aluva Manappuram as part of the Sivarathri celebrations
Celebrating the night of Shiva

KOCHI:  Celebrations for Sivarathri, believed to be the darkest of all nights in the year, is under way at all Siva temples across the state. It is a day of abstinence, and the faithful stay awake the whole night, climbing a spiritual ascent by offering bali (sacrifice) to the departed souls. Worshiping Lord Siva on the holy night is believed to get rid of the sins of faithful.


Since the new moon in the month of Kumbham is on Sunday, devotees can offer bali to the departed till Sunday from Friday midnight.

The Aluva Manappuram in Ernakulam, traditionally known for Shivarathri celebrations in central Kerala, a green Sivarathri is under way this year with authorities banning the plastic carry bags and  bottles on the banks of legendary river Periyaar.

Devotees arrive at the banks of the river Periyar to  
offer bali as part of the Sivarathri celebrations
 Albin Mathew


The banks of the Periyar on both sides of the Mahadeva Temple were dotted with hundreds of ‘bali tharas’  and over 500 priests are assisting the devotees in performing the rituals, which begin with the midnight Sivaratri vilakku.

 The priests were directed to charge only Rs 50 for assisting the devotees. Chennas Manakkal Parameshwaran Namboothiripad and chief priest Mullappilly Manakkal Subramanyan Namboothiripad are leading the ceremonies and rituals.


This is the first time a green Sivarathri is being celebrated with the Travancore Devaswom Board decidingl to make the celebrations environment-friendly.

The authorities will supply boiled water flavored with ginger among the faithfuls. Authorities have also made arrangements for setting up water containers with a capacity of 5,000 litres on the banks of the river.


Makeshift tents have been arranged for women to change their clothes after the customary dip in the river.  About 2,000-odd police personnel including 200 women CPOs, 164 sub inspectors, 30 circle inspectors and 10 DySPs were deployed under the aegis of Ernakulam Rural SP.

 Service of swimmers and experts from the police force along with support facilities such as boats and life jackets will be available.


Apart from special KSRTC services, the Railways is running two special trains. The Coimbatore-Thrissur Passenger (Train No. 56605) reaching Thrissur at 8.45 p.m. on February 24 (Friday) has been extended to Aluva, and in the return direction, the Thrissur-Kannur Passenger (Train No. 56603) will start from Aluva at 4.10 a.m. on Saturday to clear the rush.

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