Namo, Namo Shankara! Lord Shiva Gets Special Seat In Newly-Launched Kashi Mahakal Express

In a unique gesture that will delight the ‘Mahadev bhakts’, a seat has been turned into a mini Shiva temple in the newly-launched Kashi Mahakal Express. The photos of the ‘temple’ was posted by news agency ANI on Monday. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing, Kashi Mahakal Express connects the temple towns of Varanasi and Indore. Both these towns hold very special significance for the Shiva devouts. As per the traditions of the Hindu mythology, two ‘Jyotirlingas’ are located in Varanasi and Indore – Kashi Vishwanath and Omkareshwar. The photos posted by ANI showed a railway official offering a special prayer at the ‘temple’.

Looking at the initial response, the Indian Railways plans to reserve the seat for Lord Shiva. “Efforts will be made to keep the seat number 64 of coach B5 in Kashi Mahakal Express (Varanasi-Indore), reserved for Lord Shiva,” a railway official was quoted as saying. However, it is yet to be ascertained who will bear the cost of the seat reservation. The mini temple may become extremely popular among the Shiva bhakts. The news comes at a time when temples across India are gearing up for the Maha Shivratri festivities. This year, one of the biggest festival in the Hindu calendar will be celebrated on February 21st.

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated every year on the Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. This time, Chaturdashi will begin from 5:20 pm on 21 February. The Chaturdashi will end on 22 February, at 7:02 pm. It is believed that Lord Shiva first appeared in the form of a linga on this day. After seeing Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu arguing about each other's supremacy, he emerged as a massive beam of light. Lord Shiva then asked them to find the source and the end of the beam in order to remind them that there's someone else who is more powerful.

Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar and dug deep inside the Earth while Lord Brahma transformed into a swan and flew upwards. After a relentless search, Lord Vishnu conceded defeat while Lord Brahma asked the Ketaki flower to give false testimony about his victory. Lord Shiva got angry by Brahma's deceit and cut one of his five heads and cursed him by saying that he wouldn't be worshipped in temples. As per another legend, Maha Shivratri is the day that celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati.