Varanasi: On the occasion of Mahashivratri (15 February), traditional preparations for Shiva’s wedding have intensified in Kashi. There is a devotional atmosphere at the Mahant’s residence of Vishwanath temple located in Tedhineem regarding the rituals of Baba Vishwanath’s Haldi, Shiva-Marriage, Shiva procession and Gauna. This year, for the first time, the movable statues of Baba Vishwanath and Mata Gaura will be decorated with Assamese traditional clothes and jewellery, which will be a center of special attraction for the devotees.
Mahant of the temple, Vachaspati Tiwari said that ‘Cheleng and Gasoma’ clothes have been brought for Baba Vishwanath from the historical city of Sivasagar in Assam, which are a symbol of the cultural identity of Assam. Mata Gaura will be dressed in red-golden silk ‘Mekhela Saree’ and will be adorned with traditional Assamese jewelery like Junbiri (crescent necklace), Gumkharu (bracelet) and Thuriya (mangtika). This makeup is considered to be a symbol of the confluence of the spiritual traditions of Kashi and Assam. The makeup preparation is being done by Kashi’s cultural artist Akanksha Gupta.
Organizer of the organizing committee Sanjeev Ratna Mishra said that the symbolic statue of Baba Vishwanath included in the Shiva procession will also be dressed in royal clothes of muslin and brocade prepared in Kashi. Baba’s Haldi ceremony will be performed on 13th February, after which the grand ceremony of Shiva’s marriage will be held on Mahashivratri.