Maha Shivratri : The Great Night Of Lord Shiva

Maha Shivaratri –the Great Night of Lord Shiva is the most important sectarian festival of the year for Shaivites (Shiva devotees).

The festival falls on the four­teenth Chaturdashi day of the dark half waning phase of the moon - Krishna Paksha of the Hindu month of Phalguna which is Feb­ruary - March.

Hindus around the world follow the belief that worshipping Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri is the eas­iest way to attain salvation.

Hindu devotees stay awake the entire night on this auspicious fes­tival.

They perform puja, aani, chant Vedic mantras, Siva Chalisa, prac­tice sadhana and meditation.

These sacred practices bestow a sense of peace and positive vibra­tion to live a blissful life.

It is the night of that transcen­dental divine consciousness which gives relief from all three types of problems.

These are adhyatmika adhibhou­tik, and adhidaivika as it awakens every particle of our body towards truth, love, beauty, peace, and be­nevolence - the ethereal qualities of Shiva.

Significance of Maha Shivaratri

According to the lunar cycle, 12 Shivaratris occur in a year, out of which the Maha Shivaratri is con­sidered to be the most auspicious one.

Ancient seers of India describe that offering prayers to Lord Shiva while staying awake on this divine night is helpful to develop inner consciousness.

Astrologically, on this holy day, the sun and moon come in a par­ticular alignment which is helpful to elevate the mind.

Devotees worship Shivalinga with milk, water, and honey and decorate with different flowers and BelPatra.

And Mahashivratri is the perfect day to celebrate the Shiva tatrva (principle/ energy) in us.

The Shiva Purana says that a per­son who fasts on this divine day can reap the benefits of a whole year’s rigorous prayers.

Maha Shivaratri Rituals

On day of Mahashivaratri, after completing the morning routine, devotees should take a Sankalp to observe a full-day fast and should break it only after the final aani in the mid-night or on the next day af­ter taking bath.

Devotees should take a second bath in the evening before visiting a temple of Lord Shiva or praying at home.

Shivaratri puja can be performed one or four times during the night while offering water, milk, curd, honey, flowers, and Diya.

Shivratri is celebrated to express gratitude to Lord Shiva who saved the world from the poison that em­eraed from the Khirsagar (sea) dur­ing Samudra Manthan.

It is believed that the merciful Lord Shiva drank the poison and stored it in his throat-which made his throat turn blue (due to this reason he is called by another name Neelkanth).

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