Bavina Sookdeo
Hindus across Trinidad and Tobago observed Maha Shivratri engaging in all-night vigils at temples with devotional songs and dances between Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Shivratri, known as the "Night of Lord Shiva," falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun (February/March), symbolising the manifestation of Lord Shiva as the Jyotir lingam (column of light).
Lord Shiva, one of the manifestations of the Hindu Trinity, embodies the roles of destroyer and rejuvenator. The festivities began at 6.16 pm on March 8 and concluded at 6.16 am on March 9
Throughout the night, devotees offered (in mandirs and at home) milk, dahee (yogurt), ghee, honey, bael leaves, sugarcane, till (sesame seeds), and flowers to the Shiva lingam at four intervals or prahars. A lingam is a sacred stone symbolising the unified energy of male and female, believed to be the source of all life.
Newsday interviewed devotees and pundits at different temples to gather their perspectives on Shivratri.
[caption id="attachment_1069242" align="alignnone" width="768"] Devotees at the Ramjit and Basso Persad Hindu Temple in St Helena during Shivratri observances on March 8. -[/caption]
Pundit Satyanand Mahabir Dubey of the Tryambakeshwar Mahadev Mandir, at Caroni Savannah Road in Chaguanas, said he was pleased by the turnout of devotees.
"During the nights leading up to Shivratri, we had yagna, and every night it was well attended, about 300 people a night. It was a mixed crowd. We had about a 40 per cent younger crowd (this year).”
Kishan Bhimull, the public relations officer of the Shri Ganesh Mandir located at the corner of Jokhan and Doorbassa Trace, San Francique Road, Penal, said people from sporting and cultural groups, outside of the community, came out to show their support.
Asked what Shivratri means to him, Bhimull said, "To me, Shivratri serves as a reminder of the wisdom and teachings of Bhagwan Shiva, about how I can lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life to those most dear to me, as it encourages me to deepen my connection with Bhagwan Shiva."
Bhimull related that he spent the evening praying with family at home, followed by worship at the Shri Ganesh Mandir. "Prayers at home is actually a cherished tradition which gives me the opportunity to foster unity, love, and a spiritual connection within the household, where we share moments of gratitude and reflection and strengthen our bond with each other and with Bhagwan Shiva," he said.
"Shivratri" he added, "teaches us resilience in the face of adversity, and to have the courage to confront and overcome obstacles in our lives. It symbolises the overcoming of darkness and ignorance, and the emergence of light and wisdom as it teaches us that no matter how challenging life may seem, there is always the potential for growth and positive change."
Devotee Anjely Rajkumar, who attended the Shri Ganesh Mandir, gave her perspective.
"Shivratri is a night filled with devotion to Lord Shiva, in my humble view. It is about ment
