A father teaches his child to ring a temple bell. Ringing the bell is considered a way to invite the deity and announce one's presence. The sound of the bell is believed to dispel negative energies and purify the environment.
A niche in the garbhagriha houses goddess Parvati, the embodiment of Shakti, the divine feminine power. Maha Shivaratri is a celebration of the divine union of Shiva and Shakti. Their relationship symbolizes the ideal marital bond and the balance of masculine and feminine energies in the universe.
Aarti (the waving of a flame, usually from a lit lamp, before a deity during prayers) is accompanied by the ringing of bells, the chanting of mantras, and the distribution of prasad (blessed food) among the devotees.
Children apply bhasma (sacred ash) to their forehead, face, and arms. In Shaivism, bhasma (also known as vibhuti) reminds devotees of the transient nature of life, as it is a product of fire and symbolizes the ultimate reality of death and the dissolution of the physical body.
Dikapalas (gods of cardinal directions) are also depicted on the walls of the antarala (vestibule or antechamber) of the Sitaleshwar Temple. One of the dikapalas is Varuna, depicted alongside his vahana (mount) Makara (crocodile-like sea creature). The ocean god is portrayed with two arms, holding a noose in his right hand and a water pitcher in his left.
A depiction of Lakulisa, a preceptor of the doctrine of the Pashupata tradition of Shaivism, is found inside a niche on the lalatabimba (lintel). Seated in padmasana (lotus pedestal pose), he holds a danda (staff) and phala (fruit) and wears a yajnopavita (sacred thread).
The antarala (vestibule or antechamber) of Shiva Temple 1 is completely plain and simple. There are two niches on the lateral sides. The antarala leads to the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The door of the garbhagriha is plain, and there is no figure on the lalatabimba (lintel).
In the north elevation of the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of Shiva Temple 1, all the niches are empty at present. The shikhara (superstructure) of the temple has collapsed with time and only remnants of stone blocks can be seen.
Shiva Temple 1 is situated near the revered banyan tree. The temple is a small structure with an antarala (vestibule or antechamber) and a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The shikhara (superstructure) of the temple is in ruins.
Carved on the northern wall of the antarala (vestibule or antechamber) of the Sitaleshwar Temple is the figure of Shiva seated in lalitasana (the royal position or position of royal ease) on a lotus pedestal. Shiva is accompanied by Nandi on his right. Shown with four arms, Shiva holds a trishula (trident) in his upper right hand and a sarpa (snake) in his upper left hand. In his lower right hand, he grasps a pushpa (flower) while his left-hand holds a kamandalu (water carrier or pot). Adorned with jewelry, Shiva, with flowing locks, has a halo behind his head.