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Vashi2Panvel.com: Navi Mumbai: February 17: Maha Shivratri was celebrated all over Navi Mumbai with full enthusiasm by the Shiv Bhakteas yesterday. The oldest temple in Khanda Colony built by the Pesvas had 1000s of devotees visiting it. Bhajans rent the air through the day. This temple was built in the 16th century, said the pujari here. He added that there is a 'Jatra' every year held here for a week, in which people from all over Maharashtra participate.

Mrs Bhale who is a resident of Panvel for the past 16 years said, " It is my regular practice to come here on Shivratri as well as every Monday. I believe whatever you pray for over here, gets fulfilled. I offer Bel pata, flowers, and milk to Shivlinga and also do a small arti here. On Shivratri I pray that my married life is always like that of Shiv-Parvati, as on this day itself they had got married."

Pujari Patil, from Karave villge, Nerul (w) temple told Vashi2Panvel.com "Devotees of Lord Shiva observe a daylong fast and recite "Om Namah Shivay" in a rhythm until it is dawn. This is a 200-year-old temple in which the pujaris have always been from one family." "In 2004 the temple was renovated", informed Liladhar Tandel, a trustee of the temple. Here not only people from Karave village come but also people from all areas of Nerul visit it. Meghana, a FY B.Com student from Nerul said "I do the fast to get a good husband and also to get good marks in the exams".

Small pujas were held at lot of places in Navi Mumbai and in all temples of Lord Shiva. Prashant Sheike, a civil engineer living in Kharghar says, " I'm a hardcore believer of Lord Shiva and fast on Shivratri so that my married life is happy always. I offer Bel, milk and sweets to Shivji." Ashok Tiwari, a TY B Com student and resident of Khanda Colony says, "I'm doing this fast for the 1st time, but every Monday I do visit the Shiv temple. As I believe the Lord will help me in everything I do."

Reason and places of worship may differ but Hindus consider Maha Shivratri has one of the biggest festivals. Different stories are associated with its celebration but Mahashivratri, literally means the 'Grand Night dedicated for the worship of Lord Shiva'. Generally, people observe fast on this day, perform elaborate puja of Lord Shiva, and perform Rudrabhisheka puja. They chant various hymns and bhajan in the glory of Lord Shiva and practice Dhyana for longer periods than the usual routine. A few stories that are told as reasons for celebrating Mahashivratri are: the story of Lubdhak, the story of Chitrabhanu manifested as a Jyotirlinga on this day and the Samudra Manthan story, but the most famous is the one about the reunion of Shiva and Parvati.