The significance of Mahashivratri

Strangely, most of the time Yuvika feels a deja vu as if she has seen this place somewhere before. As if she has visited this place before. Strange, isn't it. But she kept these thoughts to herself.

[ A little spoiler: This is the remake of that abandoned place Ashutosh had shown her, recently. One of the reasons why she was feeling Deja vu.]

They were shocked to find the road was actually leading to the peak of the mountain. But since, they were left with no choice. So, they kept walking continuously. They were expecting beautiful scenery at the peak of the mountain, but to their great surprise, they ended up finding an ancient castle at the peak of the mountain.

Just one look and anyone can tell that it must have been a beautiful wonder, the center of envy, in its prime. But now it looks no less than a building on its 'will collapse soon' phase.

There were many cracks on the walls and pillars, many vines and climbers have found their ways in between these cracks, the upper walls were covered with mosses and algae. While the lower walls were well-maintained and clean.

They kept walking till they reached the entrance, to see two men guarding the entrance. They felt super happy. Finally, after walking for so long, they finally meet a human. Now, they can be saved.

But on the other hand, the guards become vigilant. Before either Ashutosh or Yuvika could utter a word, the guards pull out their spears and place them right in front of their eyes, ready to gouge the eyes out of the duo.

'Stay still or we will kill you.' One of the guards shouted in the mixture of Hindi and some other language, alerting the duo, who were feeling lucky to at least know Hindi.

'Okay.' Ashutosh said while raising his hands in surrender. Yuvika followed his actions.

' Go and inform the 'leader'. Ask her, would she like to deal with them or should we kill them?' One of the two guards, who were standing at the respective distance from the gate guards, said to the other, while he joined in the duo.

Just in case, these captives decided to retaliate or escape.

After waiting for five minutes, the guard came and whispered something to the person, who had given the order earlier. The person nodded.

' Leader wants to meet them. Let's show them inside.' He said to the two guards, who nodded and started pushing Yuvika and Ashutosh to walk forward.

~~

Yuvika and Ashutosh were stunned by what they saw. The hall they were in was well-lit, well-carved, well-maintained, a little bit lavish and luxurious. The shine of the chandeliers was literally blinding my eyes.

But the person sitting in the chair akin to the throne soon pulled their attention. The chair was made of wood, but its edges were made of gold, while the seat was made of silk and cotton, so is the back. In this chair, a girl wearing the forest green color long cloak from her neck to the ground was sitting leisurely, the confidence, the arrogance, the attitude, the power clearly visible even in one look.

She has ginger-colored long hairs, styled in a double braid-back hairstyle. Her eyes were turquoise green like two beautiful gems. [ This makes me wonder, why do I love Anna from Frozen so much? See, once again I describe her in my novel.

An important note; The author isn't good with description. So, unless I am a hundred percent sure. I don't describe any person, place, or thing.

But see, whenever a new character appears, the first image that comes to my mind is actually of Anna from Frozen.] Letting Yuvika have a long time just digesting the fact that this girl is a human. She was looking like a barbie doll, but her aura was that of a badass bitchy queen.

There were few stairs to the throne. Below the stairs were chairs on the left and right sides, in which many prestigious figures were sitting and whose eyes were currently boring holes in Yuvika and Ashutosh's body and face.

~~

'Intruders.' The girl sitting on the throne finally uttered, chilling the atmosphere of the room. The dangerous intent is clearly evident in her voice.

' We didn't mean to, either. We just got stuck in a tragedy and ended up here.' Ashutosh replied back politely, but his voice was cold, his face expressionless, which was enough to send chills through many figures' spines.

'Excuses.' The girl spat the word out with disgust in her voice.

Ashutosh wanted to retort, but Yuvika, whose heart was beating hard and was ready to jump out of her mouth, after watching the duo ready to go for a war, squeezed Ashutosh's shoulder gently, making him stare at her. She shook her head, clearly trying to aim for peace. Earning a small sigh from him, who then kept quiet.

' I am sorry for interrupting your conversation. But please allow me to speak.' Yuvika pleaded to the girl on the throne, who stared at her from head to toe, then snorted in disgust, but nodded, nevertheless.

'Actually, we are the residents of New Delhi, India. We were supposed to inspect a land site for the construction of the hospital. But unfortunately, while doing so, we end up meeting a disaster.

We even lose our friends. We just wanted to retrieve their dead bodies, to give them the final farewell. But before we were able to do so, something happened and all that we know is that we found ourselves in the beach area of this island piece.

We had no intentions of intrusion. We are just seeking help, if you may so that we can return back to our place.' Yuvika explained patiently with her professional airs on.

The girl stared at her as if staring deeply and directly at her soul. Then, she finally nodded, as if acknowledging what Yuvika just said.

'Oh, so the things are like that. To be honest, we are very vigilant when it comes to humans, or should I say, the citizens. As you can see, this place is devoid of any greedy government or dictators.

This place is our home, our safe haven. All that we demand is our safety and peace, nothing more. But I don't think, I have to tell you how precarious humans can be, sometimes.

Until and unless their personal interests meet, they don't care about the sacrifice, presence, or absence of others at all. So, we hate them. If any outsider, especially humans cross our territory or come knocking our doors, we kill them, with the fear of the destruction they might bring with them.' The girl paused, staring at the duo, who were listening tentatively.

'But you guys are lucky enough to come to our doors on 'The Mahashivratri', this festival means a lot to us, is very auspicious, significant for us. As we are the devotees of Lord Shiva.

So, you can stay here today. As my people are busy with the arrangements of the ceremony and later will be busy celebrating and enjoying this festival. Tomorrow evening, our boatmen will lead you to the place across the sea, where the humans, government, and laws exist.

Hope you will reach your home, safely.' The girl said as if declaring her decision, to which every person sitting in the chair nodded in acknowledgment.

' Mahashivratri, you celebrate it too. That's so great. If you don't mind, then can I lend my aid?' Yuvika suggested, feeling excited.

The girl stares at Yuvika for a good few minutes, before asking; ' You know about 'The Mahashivratri' ?'

Yuvika nodded and said; 'I think this festival is celebrated all over India. Even across the world by many Indians. This festival carries great significance in each and every Indian's mind and heart.

As Mahashivratri or can say The great night of Lord Shiva in which with our trust in Lord Shiva, we overcome the darkness and ignorance in our lives . Lord Shiva is the destroyer of illusion and ignorance, providing us with clear vision and focus. He is the idol of meditation, fasting, survival in the rough while helping us get rid of the shortcomings of our body, helping us in attaining moksha. On this night, we fast, meditate and worship Shivling, while remaining awake for the whole night.

Since, some among us believe that on this night, Lord Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. So, many devotees give their 'Natyanjali' (worship through dance ) to please Lord Shiva.

Some believe that on this day Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati got married. So, many people worship the duo all night, by chanting hymns, reading scriptures, joining in the cosmic dance, and remembers Shiva's presence everywhere.

But one thing is common, everyone worships the shivling, while offering fruits, leaves, sweets, and milk, while chanting ' Om Namah Shivaya', the sacred mantra of Lord Shiva.' Yuvika explained, her devotion, her interest, her excitement taking the better of her.

Earning a charming, enchanting smile from the girl on the throne.

[ And I ran out of drafts, completely.]