Mahashivratri 2026: a night of devotion
Pimpalner, February 2026
Mahashivratri is an annual sacred festival that is rich in spiritual, mythological, and astronomical significance in honor of God Shiva. In this spirit, devotees engage in various devotional practices and observe a night vigil to express their deep devotion. Many devotees stay awake throughout the night as they listen to devotional songs, chant mantras, and meditate in reverence.
On February 15, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) marked a new milestone with its first-ever Mahashivratri celebration at Lighthouse Center Pimpalner. The event continued the wave of spiritual fervor from the prior week’s spiritual discourse. Read more in our post: Spiritual Discourse February 2026, Pimpalner, Maharashtra. Attendees from various Indian states gathered to celebrate in the presence of Sant Baljit Singh Ji.
As this was a new celebration at Lighthouse Center Pimpalner, VMRK gave attendees ample time to plan their travel. To support this, VMRK shared the event schedule well in advance. VMRK also released two festive video announcements in Hindi and Marathi, Maharashtra’s regional language. In addition, all 272 VMRK centers made regular announcements to local communities attending the weekly free well-being programs.
Event day
Since many devotees fast on Mahashivratri, VMRK also prepared and served special fasting meals. At the main event grounds, volunteers freshly decorated Sant Baljit Singh Ji’s dais with beautiful multicolored flowers. They also hung three large portraits of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati, each draped with two garlands of roses and aak (crown flower). In addition, volunteers packed and assembled prasad packets to distribute during the program.
From early morning, attendees began taking their seats in the main event tents. As they eagerly awaited the commencement of the program, they watched in awe and excitement the highlights of the 2025 Ashvin (Autumn) Navratri Festival.
Evening program
At around 5 pm, the devotional singers began performing devotional songs. Attendees sang along and enjoyed as they looked reverently at the portraits on the dais. Late in the evening, Sant Baljit Singh Ji arrived, and the audience smiled palpably as he walked by. Upon taking his seat on the dais, Sant Baljit Singh Ji greeted the audience and encouraged them to enjoy the event with full devotion. The singers then resumed their devotional singing in praise of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and narrated their wedding festivities. The attendees enjoyed the songs even more enthusiastically in the presence of Sant Baljit Singh Ji. Some clapped with raised hands, while others danced with heartfelt exuberance.
The atmosphere buzzed with constant energy, leaving no moment of silence. When one group of singers finished, the audience spontaneously chanted “Bum Bum Bhole” in praise of God Shiva while the next group of singers took their seats. Sant Baljit Singh Ji looked on with a warm smile, appreciating their heartfelt reverence.
Darshan and night vigil
Well past midnight, Sant Baljit Singh Ji stepped down from the dais to walk among the attendees. Slowly, he made his way through the different sections so that attendees could have his darshan up close. After walking for over an hour, Sant Baljit Singh Ji returned to the dais.
Meanwhile, the devotional songs continued and didn’t stop until 5:30 am the next day. The audience remained upbeat, with many devotees dancing and singing throughout. This was followed by Aarti in praise of God Ganesha, God Shiva, and the Divine Mother.
As the event concluded, attendees could hardly believe that the continuous celebration which had begun on February 7, had come to an end. Before leaving, Sant Baljit Singh Ji shared that he would continue to be with the attendees for a few more days in the evening. Then he called out: “Adiguru, Jagatguru, Guruon ke Guru, Devon ke Dev Mahadev, Parampita Shiva Bhagwan Ji ki Jai”. This praise honors God Shiva as the Primordial Guru, the Universal Guru, the Guru of all Gurus, the God of Gods, and the Supreme Father. Overwhelmed, the attendees also raised their hands in praise.
The celebration concluded with VMRK lovingly serving a meal consisting of puri, sabzi, and kheer to everyone. Attendees appreciated the meal, a fitting conclusion to a truly memorable event!
Post event darshan program
On February 16 and 17, Sant Baljit Singh Ji came out in the evening, just as he did after the spiritual discourse. Read more in our post Spiritual Discourse February 2026, Pimpalner, Maharashtra. Attendees who stayed on and locals who visited daily gathered around him and enjoyed listening to devotional songs. Afterwards, Sant Baljit Singh Ji delivered a discourse lasting between 1 to 2 hours before departing each evening.
Charitable services for Mahashivratri
Extending the charitable services for the Pimpalner Spiritual Discourse, VMRK continued to conduct charitable initiatives until the day after Mahashivratri. The sections below describe the charitable activities conducted between February 11–16, 2026.
Medical camps
The medical camp and clinical treatment center that began operating at Lighthouse Center Pimpalner on February 5 continued until February 16. On February 15, VMRK stood up another medical camp to cater for the influx attending the Mahashivratri celebration.
Similar to the previous week, both camps attracted thousands who visited with fever, diarrhoea, colds and coughs, headaches, acid reflux, and body pain. They received free consultations and medicines from the team of 20 medical professionals. Those in need also received in-house medical care at the clinical treatment center.
Village medical and hygiene camp
In addition, VMRK organized a medical camp in Sukapur village, about 18 km from Lighthouse Center Pimpalner. Residents eagerly awaited the camp, and had already formed a long queue when our volunteers arrived to set up the camp. The camp ran from early morning until late afternoon, staffed by 11 medical professionals and VMRK volunteers. They offered free medical care to everyone, the majority of whom presented with symptoms such as colds, coughs, fever, and skin allergies.
At the same location, VMRK also distributed more than 250 hygiene kits to the residents to promote better health and hygiene practices within the community.
On February 15, a free medical camp was organized by VMRK through its Lighthouse Center Pimpalner in our village Sukapur in which the doctor examined the people and distributed free medicines. Our village is in a remote area in which most of the people earn their living by farming and laboring. A total of 75 people benefited from the free medical camp organized by VMRK.
Therefore, on behalf of the Gram Panchayat and all the villagers, we express our heartfelt gratitude. We also offer our respectful greetings to Sant Baljit Singh Ji and express our sincere appreciation. We request VMRK to continue providing such assistance in the future as well.
Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat Sukapur, Sakri, Dhule, Maharashtra
Blood donation camp
From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mahashivratri, VMRK organized a blood donation drive at Lighthouse Center Pimpalner, in collaboration with the blood bank team of Government Hospital, Nandurbar. One team of VMRK volunteers visited various areas across the venue to encourage attendees to come forward and donate blood. Another team of VMRK volunteers served refreshments to all donors. In total, 77 donors voluntarily donated 77 units (26.95 liters) of blood.
Supporting underprivileged students
VMRK organized another drive to distribute educational materials to support more than 620 underprivileged students. Over several days, our volunteers traveled to 13 schools within an 18-kilometer radius from Lighthouse Center Pimpalner. At each school, children greeted them with happy faces and excited whispers about the materials they were about to receive.
We respectfully share that 98 students, from Class 1 to Class 5, study at our school belong to the underprivileged backgrounds. We express our heartfelt gratitude to VMRK for the generous support extended to our students by providing them with school bags, geometry boxes, pencil kits, and notebooks. Through this noble endeavor, not only have smiles appeared on the children’s faces, but a new enthusiasm for education and a sense of self-confidence have also been awakened within them.
The support you have extended serves as a strong step towards their bright future. Your compassion, spirit of service, and dedication to humanity are truly inspiring. Great organizations like yours serve as a guiding light for society, selflessly paving the way for the service of humanity.
We, the students, parents, and the entire school family will always remain grateful for your kindness. We also once again express heartfelt gratitude to Sant Baljit Singh Ji.
Head Teacher, District Council Primary School, Amode, Sakri, Dhule, Maharashtra
