6.3.2008
Today, Hindus in Sri Lanka and abroad
celebrate the Maha Shiva Rathri, one of the most important
festivals in the Hindu religious calendar. This festival
observed in honour of Lord Shiva, marks the day he is believed
to have married Parvati and the night when he performed
the dance of primordial creation and preservation. The many
rituals associated with this festival include fasting, night
long vigil at temples, making of offerings to Shiva, the
lighting of lamps and singing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva.
The aim of all this devotion is the dispelling of ignorance
and the search for knowledge to overcome the evil tendencies
of lust, anger, greed, infatuation, jealousy and hatred,
and seek peace and harmony both in their lives and in society.
Hinduism,
one of the great religions of the world, teaches man the
virtues of piety, unity and harmony. In our country Hindus,
true to their religion, have been living for ages in amity
and harmony with followers of other religions.
On
this day sacred to them, I wish all Sri Lankan Hindus
a happy Maha Shiva Rathri. May their prayers and expectations
for a better tomorrow be fulfilled, and may every lamp
they light on this day enrich them spiritually and enhance
their understanding of the need for better understanding
and stronger unity among all our people.
Courtesy
- Government Information
|