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Shivalingams getting ready for Maha Shivaratri in Bhopal
by Ram Chand Sahu

     Bhopal: People in Bhopal have decided to make 10.25 million Shivlingams for the forthcoming "Maha Shivratri" (or, the wedding-day ) festival. Unlike normal Shivalingams that are made of stone, those being made at Bhopal are from "Dhoop"(or, incense). Hundreds of devotees in Bhopal are organising a Maharudra Yajna at Dasharat, people are making small statues of Shivalingams with "Dhoop" (or, incense). It is is made from pure desi ghee, natural herbs and perfumes, and is a soft, slow burning Indian incense The propose to immerse these Shivalingams in the river on the auspicious day of Mahashivratri (February 26) festival. "This is the 26th Maharudra Yajna being held in Bhopal. These days people are organising more and more of religious functions which is very good and main part is that more and more youngsters are participating ", said Pandit Devprabhakar Shahtri. The idea to pay respect in this fashion has also fascinated a few popular stars from Bollywood too. Stars like Ashutosh Rana and Rajpal Yadav are also participating in the making of Shiva Lings to the tunes of religious hymns. "God has made the world but see what people are doing here, they are working in groups and making god... God Shiva. About 10.25 million Shiva Lings are being made here. We are working together to make Shiva Ling, a representation of Lord Shiva, who is called God of truth", said Ashutosh Rana (Actor). "We work here and there in our profession and we take out some time from our busy life to worship God . I really like Mahashivaratri festival and I am enjoying while making Shiva Lings here", said Rajpal Yadav (Actor) The participation of film stars has attracted a lot of youngsters too, who are thronging here to participate in the Maharudra yajna and make Shivalingams. Legend has it that Lord Rama also made Shivalingam by his own hands to worship Shiva, from that time this practice is carried on by several devotees in various parts of India. The Shivalingam denotes the primeval energy of the Creator. It is believed that at the end of all creation, during the great deluge, all of the different aspects of God find a resting place in the Lingam; Brahma is absorbed into the right, Vishnu to the left and Gayatri into the heart. The Shivalingam is also viewed as a representation of the infinite Cosmic Column of fire, whose origins, Vishnu and Brahma were unable to trace. The Shivalingam is generally mounted on a circular or quadrangular receptacle called the Avudaiyar.
-Feb 3, 2006