Bantwal: The word ‘Cremation ground’ usually send a shiver down the spines of many, especially after sunset!. But at Kanchinadka Padhavu of Sajipanadu village, at the cremation ground, hundreds of people from all age groups gathered for a celebration of ‘Maha Shivaratri’. It was an unusual sight on March 4th as the whole country celebrated the festival of ‘Maha Shivaratri’.

Sajipanadu village earned a unique distinction as the Hindu Rudrabhoomi Samithi and Hindu Rudrabhoomi Abhivradi Samithi organized ‘Bhajan Sankirtan’ programme at the cremation ground before a tall Lord Shiva statue in a meditating position. Lit lamps in front of the statue heralded the celebration.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is often found sitting in ‘Kayanta’, (Kaya means body and anta means ending) which also means cremation ground where the journey of the body ends. It is believed that the inner soul travels eternally. ‘Smashan’, which means ‘bed of corpse’ is where Lord Shiva waits for the soul, which was hidden in the form of a body in the materialistic life.

The real journey begins from there on when the soul reunites with Lord Shiva and it is this celebration that was held.