Preparing for Siva's Great Night

Aum Namah Sivaya

This evening is Mahasivaratri. The monastery is full of activity as preparations are made for Siva's great and blissful night. We observe tonight both as a discipline and a festivity, keeping a strict fast and all-night vigil, meditating, intoning Siva's 1,008 names, singing His praise, chanting Sri Rudram and bathing the Sivalinga.

You don't want to see God. You must feel God. God is you. Just be that. Satguru Siva Yogaswami

As long as there is searching, Parasiva has not been found, for searching is two, while It is one. Gurudeva

All this universe is in the glory of God, of Siva, the God of love. The heads and faces of men are His own, and He is in the hearts of all. Krishna Yajur Veda, Svetasvatara Upanishad 3.11

Kadavul\

s Crystal Sivalingam will receive abishakham following the homa and a talk by Satguru Bodhinatha'

Devotees create traditional decor for the temple

these are all mango leaves

Yoginathaswami weaves garlands for Siva

Tejadevanatha and Nilakanthanatha acquire these banana trees to set up in the temple

Nandi is oiled ready for Siva\

s night'

The monks have many things to set up, including flags, tiki-torches to light the paths, the homa must be readied and of course, the abishekha items prepared

Saravanathaswami prepares for the Siva homa

The bananas are put on either side of the sanctum along with other tropical plants and flowers

here, Rajanatha sets up oil lamps all over the temple

They will create a beautiful and peaceful ambiance when they are lit tonight

The temple is looking close to ready

just a few more important decorations

swami places a rose garland around the crystal Lingam

We wish you a blessed Mahasivaratri everyone! Aum Namah Sivaya, Sivaya Namah Aum.

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