Mangalore:  Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple of the Billava Community and Sri Narayana Guru is bedecked and decorated on Mahashivaratri observance in the name of Lord Shiva and for continuous chant of ‘Om Namah Shivaya!’, on Monday, which is Shiva’s day in a week and thus doubly auspicious today.

The Vrata (rite) is not a festival of celebration but an observance of deep devotion by fasting through the day and remaining awake at night. It falls a day before New Moon Day (on Amavasya) in the last month of Falguna under Hindu calendar.

Lord Shiva married Parvathi on this day. He manifested into 12 Jyotirlingas on Mahashivaratri. He is also said to have performed as Nataraja his Tandava Nritya on swaratri. The doubly sacred day is Monday, February 20.

The night of February 20 is totally consecrated to the service of the Lord, who loves Abhisheka (bath), Bhasma (ashes), and white flowers of Yekka. Those who perform continuous Yama Puja for 4 Yamas at night are freed from sins and come under his care.

Temple arrange Horticulture or Pravachans or Bhajans during the night.

In Kudroli, at Kadri and in Dharmasthala, the Linga is washed  and decorated with flowers. Kudroli is accessible to all and Pilgrims (devotes) drop in at all hours of the night on Monday.