Saints & Cannabis; A Charm of Mahashivaratri

Nepal, a country rich in religions, arts, culture and festival is going to experience another biggest festival of Hindus on 20^th Feb, 2012, Mahashivaratri. This is one of the most awaited festive for people of every age group. This day is celebrated with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. The festive mood of Shivaratri starts a week ago of the main day. Youths gather in the street looking for donations from the people and vehicles travelling on their way…to celebrate Shivaratri.

Shivaratri is believed to be the night of the origin of Lord Shiva when he himself was created by the supremacy of his own divine. On this sacred day, Hindu devotes from around the globe are seen rejoicing with a lot of charisma. At this time of the year, sea of Saints and devotes are seen at Hindus biggest shrine, Pashupatinath in Nepal's capital Kathmandu. It is one of the significant holy destination for the Hindus and devotees of the Lord Shiva.

And, Saints, not gathering around this place..Impossible  ...

During this festival, thousands of Saints from Nepal and India assemble around the temple. Saints are supposed to be the “One who knows truth”. They are seen covered up themselves with ashes and busy making cannabis.

This is one day when devotes and non-devotes are free to indulge themselves in smoking intoxicating substances.

These Saints are known as the true followers of the Lord Shiva as they follow smoking cannabis, the favorite behavior of Lord. They believe this activity to delight the God. Smoking intoxicating things on this day is taken as a legal activity.

Yet every year it witness baton charge “lathi-charge” at the temple premises; especially on the southern part of temple where Sleshmantak Forest is located. This place is usually packed with large number of youths busy in taking Shiva’s Prasad. Last year even Home Minister had put a ban on the transaction of cannabis.

But I feel, use of batons in this day, especially when using intoxicating things are legal, is good. This day is especially known for the saints and cannabis and imagines, the temple premises without saints and Cannabis…Horrible, isn’t it?

The youths indeed get fully busy smoking intoxicating substances in the name of Prasad, they should not be going crazy for it forgetting all their boundaries and responsibilities. I guess the youth should understand it and take it only as a form of “Prasad”.

On this day, I personally feel like the temple has been turned into a bridegrooms home, lights, colors and lots of people. The temple premises is busy since the dawn just to get a glimpse of Lord Shiva.

Have a safe festival everyone; don’t get fully on using intoxicating substance and lastly.. JAI SHAMBO…