This Sunday, March 10th, 2024, Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple will be celebrating Siva Ratri. (Please note as per the Vaishnava calendar the actual day of Siva Ratri is on March 9th)
Siva Ratri literally translates as, “the night of Lord Siva”. Devotees of Lord Krishna view Lord Shiva as the greatest Vaishnava (devotee of Vishnu). Every week we recite the Brahma Samhita at the Temple where Lord Siva’s position is very beautiful explained (Verse 10), that he derives his power from Lord Vishnu. The Vedic texts like Padma Purana and Srimad Bhagavatam also glorify his contribution in the creation and for his unalloyed devotion to Lord Vishnu. For example, in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, 12.13.16 states: vaishnavanam yatha shambhu, “Amongst all Vaishnavas, Lord Shiva is the best.”
On this special Sunday, we will learn more about the great qualities and pastimes of Lord Siva. We extend a special invitation to you and your family to join us for this special festival! Festivities will begin at 5:30pm and continue till 8:30pm when we will serve our free feast; see the full schedule below:
