DHURI-On the sacred occasion of Maha Shivratri, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann paid obeisance at the revered Sri Rankeshwar Mahadev Temple and performed Pooja at the historic Siddh Peeth, seeking blessings for peace, prosperity and continued progress for Punjab and the nation. Greeting people at the festival, the AAP Chief described Mahashivratri as a civilizational celebration rooted in India’s ancient spiritual tradition and prayed that Lord Bholenath’s grace always remain upon every citizen.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reaffirmed that the Punjab Government remains firmly committed to preserving and promoting the state’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage for future generations. He underscored that from commemorating the Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji to celebrating the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass ji, Punjab continues to honour its glorious legacy with pride and devotion.
Sharing a few snippets from the puja on X, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated: “On the sacred occasion of Maha Shivratri, I had the privilege of offering prayers at Shri Rankeshwar Mahadev Temple in Dhuri along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. The divine energy of Mahadev brings peace to the mind and renewed strength to the spirit. May Lord Bholenath’s blessings always remain upon all of you, and may the nation and Punjab continue to progress and prosper.”
Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “On the occasion of Maha Shivratri today, I paid obeisance and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva at Shri Rankeshwar Temple in village Ranike, constituency Dhuri, along with AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Incharge Manish Sisodia. I prayed for the prosperity of the nation, peace and harmony, and enduring brotherhood among all. May Lord Shiva’s blessings always remain upon everyone.”
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “We paid obeisance at Sri Rankeshwar Mahadev temple and prayed for the peace, progress and prosperity of the state.” They further said, “On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, we performed Pooja at Siddh Peeth and extend our good wishes to all.” Highlighting the essence of the festival, they said, “Maha Shivratri inspires people to strive towards the pursuit of truth that leads to the ultimate consciousness epitomized by Lord Shiva.” They added, “The festival lays stress on the values of piety, devotion, mutual love and harmony.”
Emphasizing the cultural importance of the occasion, Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This is an important festival known as one of the cornerstones of the great Indian civilization.” They added, “Sri Rankeshwar Mahadev is regarded as a revered Siddh Peeth in the Malwa region of Punjab.” Explaining the spiritual legacy of such sites, they said, “Historically, Siddh Peeths are considered sacred places where intense penance and spiritual practices were performed, leading to divine manifestation.”
Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Such places hold immense importance in our tradition because they are believed to be spiritually energized through centuries of devotion and tapasya.” They added, “This temple is traditionally associated with the Mahabharata period, particularly with Arjuna’s penance to please Lord Shiva.” Elaborating further, they said, “It is believed that after severe tapasya, Lord Shiva appeared before Arjuna and blessed him with divine weapons, the Gandiv Dhanush.”
Linking the shrine to India’s epic heritage, Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This connection links the shrine to one of India’s greatest epics, giving it deep mythological and historical resonance.” They added, “Sri Ranakeshwar Mahadev represents this continuity of Shaivite devotion in the Malwa belt.” They further said, “This sacred place stands as a reminder that Punjab’s cultural identity has been shaped by multiple layers of spiritual history.” Emphasizing the broader significance of the festival, they said, “Mahashivratri is not merely a religious observance but a civilizational festival rooted in ancient tradition.”
Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The festival commemorates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and symbolizes spiritual awakening and self-discipline.” They added, “Celebrating Mahashivratri at such a historically significant Tapasthali reinforces the continuity of age-old customs and faith practices.” They further said, “Annual celebrations at Sri Ranakeshwar Mahadev help preserve it as a living heritage site rather than a forgotten monument of the past.”
Underscoring the cultural continuity of the shrine, Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This sacred place reflects centuries-old devotional practices that have been passed down from one generation to another.” They added, “The continuity of rituals demonstrates how faith traditions adapt over time while maintaining their core essence, and it is an important part of the region’s intangible cultural heritage.” They further said, “Such events strengthen regional identity and social unity in the Malwa area and bring together people from different walks of life under a shared spiritual and cultural banner.”
Highlighting the state government’s commitment towards preserving heritage, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state government is already working hard to perpetuate the glorious cultural heritage of the state amongst younger generations.” They added, “The state government has already commemorated the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji in an unsurpassed manner.” They further said, “It is now all set to celebrate the 650th parkash purab of Sri Guru Ravidass ji also in an unprecedented manner.” Concluding, they said, “The state government wants to ensure that our coming generations are made aware of the rich cultural heritage of the state.”