Baba Vishwanath to be adorned as a groom on Mahashivratri in Kashi, what special rituals will be held?
The Mahashivratri festival will be celebrated with traditional fervor and religious devotion in Kashi, the city of Lord Shiva. On this occasion, Baba Vishwanath, the presiding deity of Kashi, will give darshan to devotees in the form of a groom.
According to temple tradition, on Mahashivratri, Baba will be specially adorned with a traditional head-dress made of rudraksha beads, fruits, dry fruits, and flowers. Rudraksha is considered a symbol of Shiva's divinity and detachment, while fruits and dry fruits are indicators of auspiciousness and prosperity.
Head-dress is being prepared from natural and religious materials
Vachaspati Tiwari, associated with the temple, said that the head-dress is being prepared entirely from natural and religious materials. It will include rudraksha beads along with makhana (fox nuts), cloves, cardamom, Shivlingi seeds, grapes, and various fragrant flowers.
This head-dress will be offered to Baba during the Shiva procession that starts from the Mahant's residence in Tedhinim and during the four-part aarti (ritual worship) that will take place throughout the night at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham. This special adornment will also be placed on Baba's processional idol.
Shiva procession holds special significance in Kashi
The Shiva procession holds special significance in Kashi on Mahashivratri. According to folk tradition, Lord Shiva, dressed as a groom, sets out for his marriage to Goddess Gaura. In keeping with this tradition, Baba Vishwanath is adorned in the form of a groom.
Tiwari said that on the night of Mahashivratri, the four-part Saptarishi Aarti will be performed at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It will be conducted under the leadership of senior members of the Mahant family. On the night of Mahashivratri, a series of special pujas, abhishekams (ritual bathing), and aartis take place in the temple, and devotees remain present throughout the night for darshan and jalabhishek (offering of water).