From the archive record
Hindu priests chant Mantras during the Mahashivratri festival. As a tradition devotees wake up early in the morning of the Mahashivratri day and take a ritual sunrise bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. They also offer prayers to the Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva as a part of a purification rite observed on all-important Hindu festivals. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva Temple to give the customary bath to the Shivalinga. Following the rituals prescribed in the Shiva Purana, every three hours, Shivalingam is given a special bath with milk, yogurt, honey, sandalwood paste and rose water. Puja, meditation and chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ accompany the ritual bath. Following the bath, the vermilion paste is applied on the linga. Traditionally, lea