OM
February 16, 2007 6:02 AM   Subscribe

A Happy Maha Shivratri to you all!
posted by hadjiboy (11 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
For a second there, I read that as "Happy Maria Shriver". Boy was I off.
posted by Gamblor at 6:27 AM on February 16, 2007


Those eCards are great. Thanks hadjiboy. But where am I going to get Bael leaves from?
posted by tellurian at 6:50 AM on February 16, 2007


Since Shiva is regarded as a mighty destructive power, to numb his negative potentials he is fed with opium and is also termed as Bhole Shankar, one who is oblivious of the world. Therefore, on Maha Shivratri, the night of Shiva worship, devotees, especially the menfolk, prepare an intoxicating drink called Thandai (made from cannabis, almonds, and milk) sing songs in praise of the Lord and dance to the rhythm of the drums.

Right on! Don't bogart that Thandai!
posted by languagehat at 7:57 AM on February 16, 2007


I knew a guy like Bhole Shankar back in college. He had mighty destructive power and used to break things in our dorm. The entire floor was assessed a special charge for the damage that he caused to the ceiling tiles, the fire exit signs, and several plate-glass windows. So to numb his negative potentials we used to give him more beer. After a while, it would make him oblivious of the world, and then he would go pass out on the couch for 12-15 hours. Sleep tight, Bhole Shankar, and pleasant dreams. Tomorrow is a brand new day.

It's wonderful how there are certain eternal, universal truths that all of the world's religions recognize.
posted by Slap Factory at 8:09 AM on February 16, 2007


Heheh, some of the names here can be real tongue-twisters. There's even a special section here provided for you guys;)

PS. tellurian?
posted by hadjiboy at 8:40 AM on February 16, 2007


I KNEW cannabis was a sacrement! I KNEW it!
posted by aiq at 8:55 AM on February 16, 2007


hadjiboy - I'm in Australia. It's one of the few searches that doesn't bring up a commercial ad on Google.
posted by tellurian at 9:38 AM on February 16, 2007




Bom Bom Bhole!

I was in Benaras one time for Shivratri. That would easily be the most utterly crazy festival I have ever encountered.

Therefore, on Maha Shivratri, the night of Shiva worship, devotees, especially the menfolk, prepare an intoxicating drink called Thandai (made from cannabis, almonds, and milk) sing songs in praise of the Lord and dance to the rhythm of the drums.

Yes, there was that, but don't kid yourself that this is something that you do in your living room.

All the streets were closed to traffic, everybody was out in the streets, every temple & shrine was covered in tons of rose & marigold flowers, incense burning everywhere, turning the air into a sweet soup more than anything else, bells ringing all night, people walking around, beaming, yelling "Bom Bom Bhole!" or "Bom Shankar!", and the Thandai (bhang lassi) - great big fucking 44 gallon drums of the stuff were wheeled out on carts & handed out liberally.

Leading up to Maha Shivratri, the locals were telling me: "on that night, *everybody* in Benaras is drinking this bhang (marijuana) drink. Men, women, grandparents, *everybody*". After the big night, I believed them.

It had a feel of Saturnalia to it, but other than that, the closest thing I could liken it to might be the scene in Apocalypse Now, where the boat reaches a town under attack, with flares going off everywhere & somebody (the cook?) has taken acid. Except it was friendlier & more peaceful, even within the chaos.
posted by UbuRoivas at 7:39 PM on February 16, 2007


Duh

Sorry about that tellurian; I checked your profile yesterday, and still managed to get my signals crossed. And apparently, I missed the joke too. *pushes Bhang away*

Ubu, we were having a conversation about this yesterday in my class, and there were people who seemed to be miffed that this (the way you've described it) was the way that the festival's being celebrated. They wanted more piety and less intoxication I suppose, but then you've got all kinds here.
posted by hadjiboy at 1:06 AM on February 17, 2007


yeh, more piety & less intoxication! that will be a fucken *hoot*! just like easter!
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:35 PM on February 18, 2007


« Older Standing on the rooftop, casting your gifts   |   better luck tomorrow Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments