Join Us to Celebrate

You are invited to join us in celebrating Shivaratri, an auspicious time for purification and reconnecting with the Divine.

In observance of Shivaratri this year, we will begin our ceremonies on Tuesday, February 25, with a Parthiv Puja during which we will make 1008 clay lingams (an abstract or iconic representation) consecrated with mantra (sacred chanting).

Following the Parthiv Puja we will commence at sunset an all-night vigil including Ganesh Puja, kirtan (devotional singing), meditation, storytelling, and a midnight mantra yajna (ancient Vedic ritual). In the early morning of Wednesday, February 26, a Maha Shivaratri Puja will conclude with submerging the 1008 lingams in the lake accompanied by prayers for Peace.

There are a number of ways in which you may choose to participate (reservations required for all options):

• Parthiv Puja + Shivaratri & Wednesday Breakfast:
  Arrive anytime after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25 to join in the Parthiv Puja and preparations and attend the Shivaratri observance. You may stay all night and for Wednesday breakfast (free of charge). Option to purchase lunch and/or dinner on Tuesday. NO OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS.
  

Cost: FREE + Cost of meal(s) as chosen (no charge for meals for children under 13 years).

• Parthiv Puja + Shivaratri & Wednesday Breakfast with Overnight Accommodations:
  Arrive anytime after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25 to join in the Parthiv Puja and preparations and attend the Shivaratri observance all night. Includes Tuesday lunch and dinner, overnight accommodations on Tuesday night, and Wednesday breakfast.

Additional overnight(s): You may also choose to stay overnight on Monday, February 24 and/or Wednesday, February 26.

Cost: Based on night(s) and lodging selection.

Or

• Join us ONLINE: View the Temple Livestream during the following dates and times on the Temple YouTube Channel.

“The aim of Shivaratri is dispassion.”—Baba Hari Dass

Background

Shivaratri is a night that celebrates the Hindu deity Shiva on the lunar fortnight, when the moon is waning, in the month of February or March. This particular night is considered a time for consecration, dedication, and ultimately surrender of the mind to the Divine Presence in the form of Lord Shiva. This time of year can be a very challenging time and therefore it is considered one of the most important and auspicious times for spiritual aspirants to intensively pursue their practice. For millennia, Shivaratri rituals have provided a beautiful opportunity for millions of people throughout the world to reconnect with their spiritual aspirations.

The god Shiva has many symbolic names and forms, one of which is the Shiva lingam, a symbol of the formless universal divine principle. Through ritual, prayer, chanting, meditation and other austerities (such as fasting and staying up through the night) we purify the mind and offer our ignorance to Shiva, the aspect of God who is the remover or the destroyer. What is removed or destroyed is our erroneous identification as the individual self so that we may recognize our true identity, the Universal Self.