Maha Shivratri celebrations at Ramnath Mahadev at Mandvi ni Pol have remained unique affair since past few centuries. However, this time, the celebrations have a spirit and a new meaning – it manifests a deeper commitment to preservation of its heritage structure and its cultural identity.
The donations that the temple would receive during the Maha Shivratri pujan would be utilized to complete the regeneration of this old structure, say the temple authorities. This is the first Maha Shivratri festival at the temple after it was partly regenerated with the help of pol residents last year. The exterior of the temple was renovated using marble stone last year and plan of further restoration is in pipeline.
Harshad Bhatt, a pol resident and trustee of the temple, says, “We follow oldest rituals in celebrating Maha Shivratri at the temple. The celebrations begin at 5pm in evening with a Shiv Palkhi Yatra in which more than 200 residents of the pol take part. The procession moves from Mandvi ni Pol to Manek Chowk, Kandoi Ole and from Astodia it returns to the temple. We offer b h a n gas p r a s a dto the devotees and pol residents who join the procession. This time, we expect more crowd as this is the first Maha Shivratri the temple is celebrating after regenerating its exteriors; and the donations are also to be utilized for completion of its restoration plans.”
Vaman Nandkishore Bhatt, managing trustee of the temple, says, “Gathering a small fund of about Rs 2 lakh from pol residents, we have restored the exterior of this temple. The structure is about 400 years old. For further regeneration, we have applied at AMC for assistance.” “We are unable to complete the restoration work due to a technical drainage line fault and lack of funds,” says Bhatt. “However, with the resolution to utilize the donations for regenerations and AMC’s new restoration guidelines, we hope that the renovation of the structure would become easier and faster this year.” “We have offered technical guidance for completion of the regeneration of the entire Shiv temple,” say sources from AMC Heritage Cell.
Shiv procession from 5 pm
Bhang, fruit juice, coconut water – more than 101 litres of abhishek on idol of Lord Shiva to celebrate Maha Shivratri. At Ramnath Mahadev in Mandvi ni Pol, Shiv Palkhi procession begins from 5 pm. It covers Manek Chowk, Astodia, Kandoi Ole and returns to the temple at 8 30pm. Prasad of bhang is distributed when the procession returns to the pol. More than 35 pandits perform the puja. Rudra Abhishek starts at 9pm.
