Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of the god Shiva. Shivratri means ‘the night of Shiva’ and is observed in honor of Lord Shiva (The meditative aspect of the Universe).
It is a major festival in Hinduism, but one that is solemn and marks a remembrance of “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, noninjury to others, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.
This year Maha Shivratri 2024 falls on Friday, Mar 8, 2024 – Saturday, Mar 9, 2024.
Suggested Read: Lord Shiva Aarti
Legends
According to the legend from Shivapurana, when Shiva was asked by Parvathi what pleases him most, He is supposed to have replied thus: ‘The 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phalguna, is my most favorite day. It is known as Shivaratri’.
The legend of the marriage of Shankara and Parvati is one of the most important legends related to the festival of Mahashivaratri. The story tells us how Lord Shankara got married to Parvati, his divine consort. According to the legend of Shankara and Shakti, the day Lord Shankara got married to Parvati is celebrated as Shivaratri – the Night of Lord Shiva.
According to one, during the Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. This terrified the Gods and demons as the poison was capable of destroying the entire world, and they ran to Shiva for help. To protect the world from its evil effects, Shiva drank the deathly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This made his throat turn blue, and he was given the name Neelakantha, the blue-throated one. Shivaratri is the celebration of this event by which Shiva saved the world.
Suggested Read: Shiv Chalisa
Observances
To celebrate the occasion, devotees of Lord Shiva fast during the day and pray to the Lord throughout the night. It is said that worshipping Lord Shiva on Shivaratri bestows one with happiness and prosperity. Unlike most Hindu festivals that are celebrated during the day, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. The celebration includes maintaining a “jaagaran”, an all-night vigil and prayers, because Shaiva Hindus mark this night as “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in one’s life and the world through Shiva. Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets, and milk to Shiva are made, some perform all-day fasting with Vedic or Tantrik worship of Shiva, and some perform meditative Yoga. In Shiva temples, “Om Namah Shivaya“, the sacred mantra of Shiva, is chanted through the day.
Suggested Read: A Surprising Facts About Shiva Temples
Offerings
Abhisheka on Shivalinga is a major ritual on Maha Shivaratri. Abhisheka or bathing the Shivalinga is performed using Milk, Honey, Sugar, Butter, black sesame seeds, Ganga Jal, etc. After this, sandalwood paste and rice are applied to Shivalinga and fresh fruits and flowers are offered. Shiva Purana states the following things to be done on Shivaratri. Bathing Shivalinga with water, milk, honey, and bel leaves symbolizes purification of the soul.
Applying vermillion or kumkum which signifies virtue Offering fruits which signify longevity and gratification of desires Burning of incense symbolizing wealth; Lighting of lamps which signify the attainment of knowledge Betel leaves marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures.
Significance of Shivaratri
Shiva is the meditative aspect of the entire Universe. Shiva pervades the entire Universe. He is in every atom of the Universe. He has no form but is in every form, so full of compassion. Ling means symbol (chinha in Hindi) that is how it’s come to be used as in Stirling, Pulling, (female and male gender) Chinha means that through which you can recognize the whole consciousness represented in the Ling. In Tamil, there is a saying “Anbe Shivan, Shivan Anbe” which means Shiva is love and love is Shiva, the soul of the creation called Isha or Shiva.
Suggested Read: Maha Shivratri Puja Vidhi
Shiva Aarti
Om Jai Shiv Omkara
Jai Shiv Omkaara, Om Jai Shiva Omkara,
Bramha, Vishnu, Sadashiv, Ardhangi Dhaara.
Om Jai Shiv Omkara
Shiva Mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय॥
Om Namah Shivaya॥
Maha Mahamrityunjaya mantra
Om Tryambhakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam |
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat ||
Suggested Read: Shiva Ashtakam
Fulfill All Wishes with a Special Worship of Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri.
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA JAI JAI RUDRAH MAHADEVAYA NAMOH NAMAH
Suggested Read: Maha Shivratri Fast Recipe
