The auspicious Hindu festival of Maha-Shivaratri was celebrated at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London on Friday 12 February 2010. The day began with the sacred and traditional abhishek of the Shivalinga performed by the sadhus.
The ice Shivalinga on display in the Haveli entrance symbolised the manifestation of Lord Shiva, and evoked memories of Amarnath in India where a natural ice Shivalinga exists.
Throughout the day, devotees and visitors had the opportunity to offer Shiva-Puja with bilva-patra (bael leaves) and perform abhishek of the Shivalinga with milk. A beautiful Annakut was offered as well, in which many varieties of ‘falahar’ items were offered at the shrines of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Shiva-Parvati. Devotees observed a ‘falahari’ fast throughout the day.