Shiva PUJA 

HINDU'S HIGHEST  PRIEST AND KING VISIT HINDU PUJA BEFORE LORD SHIVA’S BIRTH DAY.

The Shiva Puja which began 8 days ago continued to gather momentum in Sarangkot Nepal.  The Puja, a spiritual celebration for peace, was visited by the Himalayan Kingdom’s monarch, King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah and Queen Komal on Wednesday.  Apart from the Royals the event is a whose who of the high Hindu world, including many of the highest Gurus and Yogis from around the world.

The Royals arrived on the Himalayan hilltop by their private helicopter, which was flanked by military aircraft.  A security announcement instructed an enthusiastic public not to present any flowers to the Royals, but fortunately Queen Komal took a flower from a devotee starting a flood of flowers being bestowed.

At times the Kings minders looked nervous as he mingled amongst the pressing throngs inside the Puja.  The King himself looked relaxed and resolute as he immersed himself in the crowd.   Widely considered a Hindu Deity himself, the King prayed and gave offerings to the Lord.    Nepal is the only country in the world to have Hinduism as a state religion.

Soon after the Royals departed Annanta Shree Swami Shankharacharya Vadrikashram, Jyotishmatha Pithadhish Guru, primate of the worlds one billion Hindus arrived from India .  The Hindu religion is the third largest religion in the world and considered to be one of the world’s oldest stemming back more then 5000 years. In fact Hindus believe the religions human roots began more then two million years ago.

The Puja, visited by thousands of devotes, has been an explosion of holy fire, incenses, flowers, colors, music, dance, energy and worship.  Money donated at the Puja and online will go to build a majestic Shiva Temple on the 1500M high site and against a backdrop of the awe inspiring Annapurna mountain range in the Himalayas .

The event concluded on Monday, the day after of Lord Shiva’s birthday. “It has been a blessing just to be here.  I have never experienced such a celebration of human spirituality” said one of many non Hindu tourists passing through the site.

In a first, the organizers have created a web site to carry the Shiva Puja peace message forward and raise further temple donations.

“This spectacular temple set in the amazing Himalaya will be a permanent shrine to world peace and harmony for all to visit.  It will restore cultural value in harmony with nature.  We are creating an empowered site for peace and nature on the biggest scale imaginable in the Himalaya holy land.  If we want this planet to take care of us we must take care of it.”    said Postaraj Chapai from the organizing committee.

To view images of the Puja, the temple, and make donations visit shivapuja.himalaya.net.np