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Sivarathri Festival Kerala |
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SIVARATHRI FESTIVAL KERALASivarathri is a very auspicious day for all. It is the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight, when the moon is warming and the sun is in the sign of Aquarius. The festival is however, related to the moon rather than the sun. That is the reason why it is called Sivarathri (the night of Siva). Maha Siva Raatri means the great night of Lord Shiva and it is observed on the fourteenth lunar night(chaturdasi)of the dark forthnight(Krishna Paksh)in the Hindu month of Phalgun.This corresponds to late February and early March in the English calendar. Sivarathri Marathon On Sivarathri day, devotees go on a marathon pilgrimage from Tirumalai to Tirunattalam, wearing s robes, carrying a fan of palm leaf and chanting the names of Vishnu as "Govinda, Gopala" start from Tirumalai and finish their marathon pilgrimage at Tirunattalam, covering nearly 75 kilometres within 24 hours. The fact that Siva and Vishnu are one is the rationale behind this concept to show the oneness of Siva and Vishnu. This rare practice is observed in Kanyakumari district It is also said that the race of the pilgrims on Sivarathri was organised as a token of the unity of the quarrelling sects of Saivites and Vaishnavites to overcome the challenge posed by Jainism that was becoming popular Maha Siva Raatri's time duration is such that the lunar day or thithi(chaturdasi in this case)must pass through midnight.A great deal of preparation is involved in order to celebrate this religious event since it requires the performance of Pooja(prayers). There is no other place in Kerala where Sivarathiri is celebrated
on such a grand scale as in Aluva. The celebration of Sivarathri in
Aluva is as famous as the festivals like Ashtami at Vaikom, Pooram
at Thrissur etc. The celebration of Sivarathri at the Siva temple
at Aluva on the sand bank of River Periyar is attended with great
eclat. Here the Lingom (idol) of Siva rises out of the sand on the
bank of the river. The sand bank is extensive and the pilgrims running
into several thousands congregate here. People belonging to all classes,
castes and creeds assemble for this festival, some for worship, some
for merchandise and some for sight-essing. There are rows of sheds
built where merchants exhibit every kind of merchandise for sale.
There are shows, dances etc. meant for keeping the pilgrims awake
throughout the night. In addition to the observance of Sivarthri rites,
most of the pilgrims offer Bali (sacrifice) to their ancestors in
the morning succeeding the holy night.
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