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Foreign tourists in Kullu celebrate Shivratri

     Kullu: The growing popularity of India's traditions in the West is quite evident with the fact that foreign tourists joined the the residents of Kullu in celebrating Maha Shivratri today. Inspired by India's rich culture, the tourists have begun learning and becoming a part of the culture. They played guitar and sang songs glorifying God. The tourists discover that Shivratri "shows them their self, which is immortal and they derive an absolute bliss through meditation." "To me, it's a reminder of Shiva. And Shiva is a reminder of my own self, my own being. So, when I celebrate that especially on Shivratri, we meditate the whole night through. So, we remember our own self, which is our immortality and our bliss. And when meditation, we have our eyes close. We close our eyes, we see ourselves. We see our being. And this is a particular festival dedicated to remembering our own being," said Peter Foilett, a tourist from New Zealand.

    The tourists said India is an ocean, which has the knowledge of the eternal and the vision of oneness that it should offer to the world. "What is so special about Bharat (India) which has brought us here is that it has the vision of oneness. It has that holiness, the knowledge of Bhagwan (god). And everywhere there is the knowledge of duality. In India, there is the vision of oneness and that is what the whole world needs. This is special and no other country offers this," said Jill Ronsely, a tourist from Canada. Residents actively participated and offered prayers. Legends say Mahashivratri is the night when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav', his cosmic dance. It also celebrates the wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati. Young girls fast on Mahashivratri so that they are blessed with good husbands. The deity is offered food made from the fruits of the season.
-Feb 26, 2006

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