Maha-Shivaratri Celebrations
in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
on 4th March 2019

Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari, standing in her beautiful dance-room
at the Altar of Gurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and
Lord Shiva Nataraja, is ready for her Temple-Dance performance.

Unfortunately the weather-conditions on 4th March 2019 turned out to be very bad and
most unconducive. From afternoon onwards there were repeated heavy hailstorms and
heavy rain showers in the Rishikesh–Muni-ki-Reti Area and extremely heavy snowfall in
the nearby Himalayan Mountains. In the night, during the Arati
in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, an icy-cold, strong wind from the Himalayas
was blowing mercilessly through the open Temple Hall and made everyone shivering.
In spite of that, all the Ashramites, the Priests and some Devotees, who had joined
for this occasion, did not feel deterred from taking part in the
Maha-Shivaratri Celebrations with full enthusiasm.

Shri Sukumar, Trustee of Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Charitable Trust,
announced Kumari Somashekhari's Temple Dances on this occasion.

Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari expressed her Devotion
to Lord Shiva through her Bharatanatyam Temple-Dances.
Her excellent dance-movements were very impressive.

While dancing, Kumari Somashekhari depicts Divine Mother Parvati Parameshwari.

Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
spoke very dynamically and lively on the importance of true Devotion to Lord Shiva and
the necessity of a disciplined, pure and divine Life for obtaining Lord Shiva's Grace.

The Ashramites, Priests and Devotees felt blessed and inspired
by the wonderful words of divine Wisdom, they received from
Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji on the holy night of Maha-Shivaratri.

Finally, an enthusiastic devotee from South India, Ms. Gayatri, honoured
Kumari Somashekhari with a beautiful flower-garland for her dance-performance.

The Worship for Lord Shiva continued by the Priests inside all the Shiva-Shrines
of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, throughout the night, till next morning,
5th March 2019, with special Pujas and Vedic Recitations, Abhishekas
and offering of fresh Bilva-Leaves and flowers to Lord Shiva.

OM NAMAH SHIVAAYA OM