CHAKWAL: Preparations are being made at the Katas Raj Temple Complex to receive pilgrims from India, coming to celebrate the Maha Shivrati, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism.

“About 60 pilgrims are arriving from India and will reach Katas Raj on Monday (February 16),” District Coordination Officer (DCO) Asif Bilal Lodhi told Dawn.

He said pilgrims would be celebrating Shivrati for three days and would leave Katas Raj on February 18. “We have made foolproof security arrangements for the pilgrims,” he added.

He said Pakistani Hindus will also be arriving at the temple for Shivrati.

A high-level meeting, chaired by Siddquul Farooq, chairman of Evacuee Trust Property Board, was held on February 10 to discuss arrangements for receiving pilgrims.

District Police Officer Dr Moeen Masood told the participants that foolproof arrangements for the security of pilgrims have been made.

“A mega construction project would be launched at Katas Raj soon. A hostel costing over Rs100 million will be constructed for pilgrims,” the DCO told Dawn.

He added that work on the project will begin next month. The Maha Shivratri is the night of worship of Lord Shiva on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna of Hindu Calender.

Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Shivratri (in Sanskrit ‘ratri’ means night) is the night when Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. The festival is observed for one day and one night only.

Shivratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the wellbeing of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and Durga.

Published in Dawn February 16th , 2015

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