Maha Shivratri is the celebration of the amalgamation of Shiva and Shakti and is celebrated with great religious ardor all over the country. This festival holds great importance in the lives of Hindus, especially worshippers of Shiva, who await the coming of this special night every year on the 14th New Moon of Maagha (Hindu month of Jan and Feb) and Phalgun (Hindu month of Feb and March), as per the Hindu calendar on the Chaturdashi of Krishna paksha.
To learn more about Maha Shivratri Pooja methodology and rituals consult our expert astrologers!
The Mahashivratri 2020 is falling on 21st February, Friday. It is a very important occasion for the devotees of Shiva who will be celebrating this festival with great fun and frolic.
Mythical stories associated with the “Big night of Lord Shiva”
Different reference books and Puranas associate the origin of this day with different events; some attribute Maha Shivratri as the night when Lord Shiva did Tandava, others associate it as the day when he drank the poisonous drink - the “halahal” - and came to be known as the Neelkantha. There are others who believe it as the night when he got married to Goddess Paravati while some communities celebrate it as the birthday of Lord Shiva when he came in the form of lingam. Despite the multiple reasons for celebration, the enthusiasm among the Shiva bhaktas is infectious.
The main rituals - purification, virtue, and enlightenment
Maha Shivratri rituals do not include pompous celebrations; it rather includes worshipping Shiva, fasting and meditating. The day begins with the devotees bathing and wearing clean clothes in order to cleanse their auras before they sit to perform the rituals. The rituals begin with bathing the lingam with milk, curd, honey, ghee, and water.
Later, the leaves of Bel fruit along with betel leaves, flowers and fruits like dhatura and ber are placed around the lingam. Sandalwood paste is also applied on the lingam and incense sticks are burned around it along with the ghee lamp. After that, the hymns and mantras are recited which are concluded with Shiva aarti in the end.
Food and Fasting
The significance of this festival is grand both for married as well as unmarried women and all those who want to fulfill their desires. Many devotees observe fast on this day till midnight and start their day with the worship of Lord Shiva. The Shiva temple is flooded with devotees who perform all the rituals of Shiva lingam puja and all the rituals continue throughout the night.
Post rituals the other crucial thing is the procedure of fasting where you can have saatvik food like sabudana khichdi, bhang, thandai for dinner. Wearing a rudraksha mala is considered to be very auspicious as rudraksha beads are supposed to have been originated from the tears of Lord Shiva. There is constant recitation of “Om Namah Shivaya” and Mahamritiyunjay Jap.
The relevance of Maha Shivratri
Apart from keeping a fast, simply worshipping the lingam after taking a bath grants the blessings of Lord Shiva and the person is said to achieve moksha. This day is celebrated more like a festival with feasting and fairs hosted in different cities. The worshipping of Lord Shiva helps in attaining liberation from all past sins and awakens spirituality.
The significance of this festival is associated with the revival of the creative spirit and the whole notion behind creation, destruction, and maintenance that are an intricate part of our lives. It helps in strengthening the body, mind, and soul and guide us towards enlightenment and happiness. This day marks the union of Shiva and Shakti, the Goddess of energy.
Astroyogi wishes everyone a very Happy Mahashivratri!
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