DERGAON, Feb 25 - The Maha Shivaratri was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the historic Negheriting Shiva Doul on Friday.
Around 50,000 people from nearby areas gathered in the historic temple where the Maha Shivaratri was being celebrated since ages.
The temple, situated about a 1 km off from Negheriting Chariali from NH-37, was built in 1727 during the rule of Rajeswar Singha. And since its inception, Shivaratri was celebrated in the doul and a mela is also held.
As in previous years, this year also devotees went to the temple in the morning to offer their pujas to Lord Shiva. Among others, the youths � both boys and girls � were prominent in number.
The devotees came to temple from Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Sivasagar, Jorhat district, etc. The local police and civil administration ensured law and order at the site.
It is pertinent to mention here that due to the neglect by the government, the temple could not be developed into a tourist spot, even though it has full potential. There was an effort in this regard by the then DC of Golaghat Dr Ravi Kota, but since his transfer the newcomers have never bothered to open the file again.
At present the temple site is under the Archaeological Survey of India.
Nagaon Correspondent adds: On the occasion of Maha Shivaratri there has been a beeline of devotees to all the Shiva temples of Nagaon since the morning. They offered prasad and prayed before Lord Shiva to fulfill their wish.
Temporary stalls were erected in and around the Shiva temples selling various items, including bhangar laddu.
The district and police administrations took precautionary measures to maintain peace and law and order during the festival.
ANN Service adds from Kaliabor: Shivaratri was observed on Friday in various parts of Kaliabor, particularly in Ambika devalaya (Darigoji), Chitrasankar (Bamuni), Dolal Madhab devalaya, Seconee Silkholong, Dewari Chilabandha devalaya, Baneswar than etc. A large number of devotees assembled in all the temples and devalayas. Naam prasanga was held and prasad and bhog distributed among the devotees.
The devotees offered sarais and milk on the Shivalingas. In the evening, Shiva naams and bhaonas were held in a few places.