HINDUS in Region Two converged at various temples along the Essequibo Coast to observe the auspicious Hindu occasion of Maha Shivratri on Tuesday.

The devotees were seen very early at the waterside drenching their bodies in the holy water of the Atlantic (Ganga). During their visit, they made offerings to the water and recited special prayers in the name of Lord Shiva.

Many of them kept fast and during the night they sang, performed hawan (religious ceremony) and made offerings at intervals.

At visits to various temples, including Golden Fleece, Anna Regina, Cotton Field, Perseverance, Sparta and Hampton Court, this newspaper observed persons were busy observing the day. Most of the mandirs prepared seven curries and sweetmeat.

At various temples, pandits and religious educators informed the gathering about the significance of the day.

Hindus were reminded about the power of Lord Shiva and what they can attain from observing the great day of Maha Shivaratri (Great night of Shiva).

They were reminded that no matter how many mistakes they made in their lives, if they are strong devotees to the Lord, their sins will be washed away.

References were made to the popular legend, when a hunter could not find anything to kill for his food in a forest and he waited on the branch of a Woodapple (Bailpatra) tree.

In order to attract deer, he started throwing the leaves of the tree on the ground, unaware that there was a Shiva Lingam (symbol of Lord Shiva) beneath the tree.

Pleased with the Woodapple (Bailpatra) leaves and the patience of the hunter, Lord Shiva appeared before the hunter and blessed him with wisdom. From that day onwards, the hunter stopped eating meat.

Another legend has it that after the Earth was faced with an imminent destruction, Goddess Parvati pledged with Lord Shiva to save the world. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Shiva agreed to save the world on the condition that the people of the Earth would have to worship him with dedication and passion.

From that day onward, the night came to be known as Maha Shivratri and people began worshipping Shiva with great enthusiasm.