Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai in the role of cartman on Mahashivratri. (file photo)
Ravi Shankar Shukla, Hajipur. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai will again become a cart driver in the Mahashivratri Shiv Baraat organized in Hajipur on Sunday, February 15.
Nityanand Rai will carry out this historical tradition for the seventh consecutive time, in which Nagar Mahadev will take Baba Pataleshwarnath on a bullock cart on the streets of the city.
The administration has made extensive preparations for the security of the Union Minister of State for Home amidst the crowd of lakhs in the wedding procession. Z Security, CRPF, STF and Bihar Police personnel will be deployed for security.
Minister will be seen in kurta-dhoti and red gamchha
Nityanand Rai will look completely like a village son in kurta-dhoti and a red scarf on his head. Holding the bullock cart in their hands, they would greet people and signal the bulls to start or stop.
The procession will start at 9 am in the morning and will go till the evening till Akshayvat Rai Stadium in Hajipur, where after Baba's Aarti, Nityanand will get down in the bullock cart.
Security challenge among lakhs of devotees
The streets are filled with devotees in the Shiva procession that takes place on the occasion of Mahashivratri. During this time, the security personnel engaged in protecting Nityanand Rai work till they sweat.
During this time, the security of the bullock cart of the Union Minister is done in three layers – CRPF and Civil Security, STF jawans, and Bihar Police.
32 year old history of tradition
Nityanand Rai has followed this tradition since the beginning of his political career. For the first four times, he served as Hajipur MLA and Ujiarpur MP, BJP state president and BJYM chief as a driver.
This event of Baba Pataleshwarnath Temple of Hajipur is historical from religious and cultural point of view. It is said that the Shivalinga in the temple was born from the earth itself. Presently the grand construction work of the temple is going on and it will become the tallest temple of Bihar.
Ten hours of special preparation on Mahashivratri
The procession of Lord Shiva continues on the main roads of the city from 8 am to 5 pm. The procession starts from Pataleshwarnath Temple and goes to Akshayavat Rai Stadium via Masjid Chowk, Gudri Bazaar, Rajendra Chowk, Cinema Road, Yadav Chowk, Anwarpur Chowk and Dakbungla Road.
The procession includes grand tableaux and puja rituals, such as Shiva-Maa Parvati, Radha-Krishna, Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh, Bal Krishna Makhanchori, Asura slaying etc.
Nityanand Rai's devotion in Bholenath
Whatever I am today is because of the grace of Baba Bholenath. His blessings and his ideals gave me the feeling of public welfare and service without discrimination. As long as life lasts, we will continue to carry on this tradition.
Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home
Chyawanprash is a part of every Indian's life, it reduces diseases and increases energy.