The grand celebrations of Maha Shivaratri started with the four-day Shiv Anand Mahotsav from 16th February 2023 at Anand Dham Ashram in New Delhi.

Shiv Anand Mahotsav 2023 (16th-19th February 2023)

The grand celebrations of Maha Shivaratri started with the four-day Shiv Anand Mahotsav from 16th February 2023 at Anand Dham Ashram in New Delhi. On the first day, HH Shri Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj, Gurumaa and Dr. Archika Didi inaugurated Sumeru Parvat. Then, Maharaj ji and Didi ji performed Pran Pratishtha (the consecration process) of Shivalinga and the idols of Bhagavan Ganesha, Bhagavan Kuber and Devi Lakshmi installed inside the Sumeru Parvat along with the 12 Jyotirlinga mounted in the premises of Sumeru Parvat. The entire process was followed by a yagya.

On the second day, i.e. on 17th February 2023

HH Shri Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj addressed the devotees and explained them about Shiv Mahima (the glory of Bhagavan Shiva). Maharaj ji extolled Mahadev in many ways and gave important life lessons to devotees on how to be happy. Moving further, Maharaj ji explained in detail the method of performing Shiva sadhana in a correct way on Shivaratri. He also led a powerful Shiva-Shakti meditation session where he guided people to reach the higher state of meditation. Devotees chanted the Mahamantra, “Om Namah Shivay” with him and together all of them also chanted the Om mantra. Maharaj ji also helped devotees visualise Mahadev in order to invoke the deity. At the end of the session, he wished all of them good health, protection and prosperity.

Key Points of Maharaj Ji’s 17th Feb Shiv-Shakti Meditation Session

• Sit like a Devdoot (angel) while doing Shiva Sadhana.
• Think about peace, love, compassion, empathy, well-being for all while doing the Sadhana.
• Make joy, peace and love the centre of your life.
• The world you are in is full of delusion and attachment. don’t get trapped in it.
• Be calm and composed like Shiva.
• Always believe that Shiva is always with you, taking care of you.
• Shiva is the benefactor who takes away the pain of everyone.
• Shiva is the last resort to mankind.
• Pray to Shiva for his protection and grace.

After the meditation session, Shiva-Shakti Mangal Yatra was organised in which Maharaj ji and Didi ji along with devotees participated with full fervour. The sounds of musical instruments, echoes of holy chants made the entire procession extremely splendid. Later in the evening, Maharaj ji met with the students of Gurukul, spent a good time with them and visited the premises of Anand Dham Ashram.

On 18th February 2023 – the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri – HH Shri Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj commenced the festivities by leading another profound session of Shiva-Shakti meditation. The devotees felt the magic of meditation within them. Post this, Maharaj ji visited the Pashupatinath Temple and offered puja and other sacred rituals there. Then he proceeded towards the main venue where rudrabhishek was to be performed. Maharaj ji along with Gurumaa and Dr. Archika Didi was present at the venue. It was a significant event where Maharaj and his family alongside devotees performed rudrabhishek of 1.5 lakh Parthiv Shivalinga (Shivalinga made of mud/sand).

On the completion of rudrabhishek rituals, Maharaj ji and Didi ji carried out another ritual where all Parthiv Shivalingas were immersed in the holy water of Ganga, which was specially brought from Rishikesh for worshipping purpose at Pashupatinath Mandir in Anand Dham Ashram days before the beginning of Shiv Anand Mahotsav. During this ritual, Maharaj ji addressed the devotees present there by extending them heartfelt wishes. He said that the grace of Bhagavan Shiva would always remain with all of them and do their welfare always. Maharaj ji also explained about the significance of charity in Sanatana Dharm.

After this, Shiva-Shakti Kripa Yagya was carried out where Maharaj ji and his family performed the holy ritual which was followed by aarti at Kailash Shikhar. During all this, the entire area kept reverberating with holy chants.

The festivities of Shivaratri in the evening started with Shiva Tarang Programme where joyous bhajans of Shiva were rendered by renowned bhajan singer Ajay Singh. Post this, there was a satsang by Maharaj ji where he beautifully explained about Shiva and his glory.

Key Takeaways from Maharaj Ji’s Satsang on Maha Shivaratri

• You get happiness through Shiva. Meditate on Shiva to get that blissful feeling.
• Immerse in Shiva’s devotion, concentrate on Him to be in His close proximity.
• Maintain a balance in your life by making efforts to learn live in any condition or situation.
• Try to be responsible in your life.
• A religious person always has the grace of Shiva.
• Where there is Dharma, moral values; there is Shiva.
• Any wish is granted by Him only if you had no doubts about it.
• Shiva’s worship brings a person wisdom.

At night, Maharaj ji carried out rudrabhishek at Pashupatinath Mandir. Then he performed Shiva aarti at the temple and Sumeru Parvatas well.

In the morning of 19th February, Maharaj ji led another guided meditation session where followers meditated with him.

Key Points of Maharaj Ji’s 19th Feb Shiv-Shakti Meditation Session

• Meditators should connect themselves with the universe to get the desired results.
• Don’t let your mind control or bother you.
• Always try to learn new things.
• A disciplined person is always progressive.
• Anyone can connect with the universe. This will give you new ideas and inspiration to do different.
• Whatever you imagine or think of or attract, be it good or bad, you get it.
• Be calm and stable.
• Meditation means losing yourself, get immersed in it.
• As you become calm and peaceful, you get connected to the God.
• Be happy and positive.
• Work on your visualisation power.
• The power of visualisation and meditation is boundless.
• Stay away from negative thoughts.
• Even if a negative thought or any thought comes into your mind, stay calm and composed.

After a short while of Maharaj ji’s meditation session, a Kalash Yatra was taken out by the devotees. Maharaj ji and Didi ji graced the grand procession by riding a chariot together. Then the inauguration ceremony of Sumeru Parvat and 12 Jyotirlingas took place. The genealogy of Dharmakosh members was also buried during this event. Moreover, the members of Dharmada Seva performed a pooja of Shri Yantra installed near Sumeru Parvat. The 4-day Shiv Anand Mahotsav concluded with the aarti of Bhagavan Shiva at Sumeru Parvat.

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