Lakhs join Shiv Baraat procession at Babadham

Dumka: The temple town of Babadham witnessed long queues of devotees on Mahashivaratri on Monday.
The crowd of devotees touched a rough estimate of 1.5 lakh devotees and the figure was likely to cross by evening because of the Shiv Baraat procession. Arrangements were made for the late night Shiva Baraat procession to mark the marriage of lord Shiva and goddess Parwati.

“Deoghar has the dual distinction of being dwadash jyotirlinga and Shaktipitha marking the joint abode of lord Shiva and goddess Parvati the occasion of the Mahashivratri assumes special significance for the devotees in comparison to rest of dwadash jyotirlingas” Gulabnand Ojha, sardar panda (high priest) of the Baidhyanath Dham temple said, while adding that there would be overnight offerings to the Lord under the Chatusprahar Puja.

The Shiva Baraat procession would reach the temple premises by late night after crossing important locations of the temple town decorated along the route extending up to 7km. The procession would comprise different deities and ghosts with magnificent electric works apart from elephants and horses specially arranged for the purpose.

Apart from the administrative arrangements being made for the security and smooth passage to the procession, local people and non-government organisations would often make separate arrangements for the participants along it’s routes. The devotees would often be showered with flower petals and volunteers would offer Sherbats and other edibles.

In Basukinath, the devotees turnout had crossed 50,000 mark at the Shiva temple in the neighbouring Dumka district by Monday.