The 18th Century Shiva Temple was built by Maharaj Vishandas and Maharaj Daluram; their descendent Maharaj Ramesh Lal is the current caretaker of the temple
Sindh Courier
Shahdadkot, Sindh
All the arrangements have been finalized to celebrate Maha Shivaratri festival, an annual Hindu festival on Saturday February 18 at the historic Shiva Temple of 18th century in Shahdadkot town of Sindh.
The Shiva Temple was built more than 200 years in 18th century by Maharaj Vishandas and Maharaj Daluram who had shifted from Village Tando and settled in Shahdadkot (formerly in Larkana district, and now in Shahdadkot-Kambar district). The Shiva Temple, locally called Shivalo, was at a later stage maintained by their descendants Maharaj Ramchand and his son Gopi Krishan. Their legacy continues with Maharaj Ramesh Lal, one of the sons of Maharaj Gopi Krishan, who is currently the caretaker of temple and looks after all the arrangements of annual festivals as well as the regular worship programs. Every Monday, the Arti and Aradhna is held which too is arranged by Maharaj Ramesh Lal while every year, he organizes a big festival on Shivaratri.
Almost all the Hindu community families of Shahdadkot including male, female and children participate in the festival. Entire expenditures occurring on maintenance of temple as well as organizing the festivals and other programs are borne by Maharaj family since beginning.
The Shivalo in fact is a complex of temples as on one hand the statue of Shiva is placed there while on the other Devi’s Temple exists beside it. Another temple of Shri Krishan is also located near it.
The Maharajs were a big landlord Brahmin family and known for their philanthropy. Maharaj Vishandas and Maharaj Daluram had built this temple complex on their own and had purchased a piece of land for it. They had hired Pundit from Hardwar to impart religious education and the Sanskrit to the children of the family and other community members.
Maharaj Gopi Krishan, the graduate of Bombay University, was a progressive landlord and political activist. He was elected as the first president of the Shahdadkot municipality. He also used to write articles. In one of his articles, Maharaj Gopi Krishan writes that the original name of Shahdadkot was Shahdadpur but was changed to Shahdadkot by the British administration as another town with the same name existed in Nawabshah district (Now in Sanghar district), and it created certain issues in delivery of letters and other official documents through postal system. Maharaj Gopi Krishan had close political relations with Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and other prominent politicians of the country.
Maharaj Gopi Krishan’s son Maharaj Ramesh Lal told Sindh Courier on phone that preliminary celebrations have already started however the main Shivaratri festival will be held on Saturday February 18. “On this day, we distribute langar (free meals) the whole day for all the participants of festival,” he said.
What is Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva. It is a notable festival in Hinduism, and marks a remembrance of overcoming darkness and ignorance in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness.
Maha Shivratri or The Great Night of Shiva is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. The word ‘Shiva’ literally means ‘that which is not’. “That which is,” is existence and creation. “That which is not” is Shiva. “That which is not” means, if you open your eyes and look around, if your vision is for small things, you will see lots of creation. If your vision is really looking for big things, you will see the biggest presence in the existence is a vast emptiness.
Maha Shivratri is an opportunity and a possibility to bring yourself to that experience of the vast emptiness within every human being, which is the source of all creation. On the one hand, Shiva is known as the destroyer. On the other, he is known as the most compassionate. He is also known to be the greatest of the givers.
The folklore is rife with many stories about Shiva’s compassion. The ways of expression of his compassion have been incredible and astonishing at the same time. So Maha Shivratri is a special night for receiving too.
Let this night not just be a night of wakefulness, let this night be a night of awakening for the world.
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