Ritika
Maura was decorated on the head of Kashipuradhipati and Gaura was also decorated in red lehenga by the devotees. Kashi thronged to witness the beauty of the matchless couple image and the marriage ceremony of Shiva-Shakti. From the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the former Mahant’s residence at Tedhinim, the rituals of the marriage of Mahadev and Maa Parvati were performed in the morning with the tradition of four-hour aarti. Aughaddani Tripurari Shiva Shakti Swaroopa tied the knot with Maa Gaura in the golden pavilion of Kashi Vishwanath temple.
On Saturday, according to the folk tradition that has been going on for three and a half hundred years, Rudrabhishek of the statue of Baba and Gaura was done under the direction of former Mahant Dr. Vice-Chancellor Tiwari at Tedhineem residence. Pt. Vachaspati Tiwari performed con-wife rituals.
Fruits were served in the afternoon. After Bhog Aarti, Sanjeevratna Mishra performed a special aarti by royally decorating the moving statue of Baba and Maa Gaura. The tradition started with auspicious songs in the evening.
After worshiping all the idols along with the silver idols of Baba Vishwanath on Mahashivratri, Mahendra Prasanna presented the auspicious sound of shehnai. Pt. Shashibhushan Tripathi Guddu Maharaj performed the special aarti of all the four hours in the temple at night. The process of bringing and carrying the lamps for the aarti of all the four hours from the temple to Tedhineem also continued.
In the afternoon at the former Mahant’s residence, the tradition from Matrika Pujan to marriage was followed. Brahmins amidst chanting requested all the gods and goddesses to attend the Shiva marriage. The marriage process was completed at five in the morning. On March 3, on Rangbhari (Amala) Ekadashi, the ritual of Mata’s Gauna will be performed.
