Re: Shiva Mahotsavam
Originally Posted by
Divine Kala
Namaste
One of my not-so-local temples (it's on the other side of the city) will be celebrating(?) Shiva Mahotsavam this March but due to the fact that many of the priests do not speak even passable English (not their fault, I am not blaming them!) I have no idea what it is. They had a pamphlet but it does not explain what it is? It will be occurring 1 week to the day from Shivaratri (oh gosh, can't wait!) but when I have tried to look it up I have not received much information.
Could someone kindly inform me about Shiva Mahotsavam?
Thank you kindly,
DK
Namaste Divine Kala Ji,
'Mahotsava' means a great festival.It is celebration of rituals at a grander scale in comparison to daily temple activities.Based on the resources available with a temple the scale of Mahotsavam varies,for example,in great South Indian temples like Srishaila Jyotirlingam,Madurai Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple,Sri Arunachaleshwara Temple etc. Mahotsavas are usually conducted for 10 days or even go on continuously for a month.In local shrines,depending on the availability of resources the Shaiva scriptures state that celebration may be conducted for 1 or 2 days or more.
From the above shlokas in Srimat Shaiva Agama,we can see that there are many types of Utsavas/festivals.It is not clear what type of Mahotsava is being conducted in the temple mentioned by you.If possible,could you upload a pic of the pamphlet.
He dances in the golden hall of Chidambaram, Let us worship His rosy anklet girt Feet.
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