Indian culture have more than 350 festivals in a year. These 350+ festivals were ascribed to different reasons, and for different purposes of life. There were to celebrate various historical events, victories, or certain situations in life like harvesting, planting, and reaping.
For every situation there was a festival and Maha shivaratri is of a different significance.
The fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon is known as Shivaratri. Shivarathri, is the darkest day of the month. Mahashivarathri, almost seems like celebration of darkness.
Any logical mind would resist darkness and naturally opt for light. But the word “Shiva” literally means “that which is not.” “That which is,” is existence and creation. “That which is not” is Shiva. “That which is not” means, if you open your eyes and look around, if your vision is for small things, you will see lots of creation. If your vision is really looking for big things, you will see the biggest presence in the existence is a vast emptiness. This vastness, this unbounded emptiness, is what is referred to as Shiva.
Today, modern science also proves that everything comes from nothing and goes back to nothing. It is in this context that Shiva, the vast emptiness or nothingness, is referred to as the great lord, or Mahadeva.
How this is being celebrated -
Devotees will be celebrating the auspicious day by fasting and offering special prayers to Lord Shiva by pouring milk and water on the Shiv ling and adorning it with beautiful flowers.
Devotees form long queues in various temples in India to offer prayers and also witness the Rudra Abhishekam of the Almighty. The day is also observed with devotees smearing their bodies with ash.
‘Om Namah Shivay’ will be chanted by devotees throughout the night of Maha Shivratri.
Reason Behind Celebrating Maha Shivratri -
There are many mythological stories pertaining to the celebration of Maha Shivratri.
Devotees believe that Lord Shiva married Devi Parvati on Shivratri. Thus, the day is the union of Shiva and Shakti, the two greatest forces of the Universe.
It is believed that the formless God appeared in the form of “Lingodbhav Moorti” at midnight on Maha Shivratri.
It is also believed that Hindu devotees stay awake whole night to give company to God Shiva, who was not supposed to fall asleep after drinking the ocean poison (Kalakootam).
The day is considered auspicious for women. They fast and pray to the Lord to get blessed with blissful married life, while unmarried woman would pray for an ideal husband like Shiva.
Maha Shivratri is also celebrated to mark the day when the Lord saved the world from destruction. The ocean was churned (Samudra Manthan), a pot of poison emerged which gods and the demons believed would cause destruction to the entire world. Shiva consumed the deadly poison to save the world. However, the Lord held the poison in his throat instead of swallowing it. And the Lord's throat turned blue due to the poison's effect which is why Shiva is also known as Neelkanth.
Several kinds of offerings which are presented before the Lord on this day -
According to Shiv Purana, the following items are a must -
Shiva Linga must be bathed with water, milk and honey. Also, bilva patra must be offered to the lord as it purifies the soul. Vermilion must be applied over Shiva Linga after bathing, it represents virtue. Symbolising longevity, different kinds of fruits are offered to the Linga for the fulfillment of wishes.
For every situation there was a festival and Maha shivaratri is of a different significance.
The fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon is known as Shivaratri. Shivarathri, is the darkest day of the month. Mahashivarathri, almost seems like celebration of darkness.
Any logical mind would resist darkness and naturally opt for light. But the word “Shiva” literally means “that which is not.” “That which is,” is existence and creation. “That which is not” is Shiva. “That which is not” means, if you open your eyes and look around, if your vision is for small things, you will see lots of creation. If your vision is really looking for big things, you will see the biggest presence in the existence is a vast emptiness. This vastness, this unbounded emptiness, is what is referred to as Shiva.
Today, modern science also proves that everything comes from nothing and goes back to nothing. It is in this context that Shiva, the vast emptiness or nothingness, is referred to as the great lord, or Mahadeva.
How this is being celebrated -
Devotees will be celebrating the auspicious day by fasting and offering special prayers to Lord Shiva by pouring milk and water on the Shiv ling and adorning it with beautiful flowers.
Devotees form long queues in various temples in India to offer prayers and also witness the Rudra Abhishekam of the Almighty. The day is also observed with devotees smearing their bodies with ash.
‘Om Namah Shivay’ will be chanted by devotees throughout the night of Maha Shivratri.
Reason Behind Celebrating Maha Shivratri -
There are many mythological stories pertaining to the celebration of Maha Shivratri.
Devotees believe that Lord Shiva married Devi Parvati on Shivratri. Thus, the day is the union of Shiva and Shakti, the two greatest forces of the Universe.
It is believed that the formless God appeared in the form of “Lingodbhav Moorti” at midnight on Maha Shivratri.
It is also believed that Hindu devotees stay awake whole night to give company to God Shiva, who was not supposed to fall asleep after drinking the ocean poison (Kalakootam).
The day is considered auspicious for women. They fast and pray to the Lord to get blessed with blissful married life, while unmarried woman would pray for an ideal husband like Shiva.
Maha Shivratri is also celebrated to mark the day when the Lord saved the world from destruction. The ocean was churned (Samudra Manthan), a pot of poison emerged which gods and the demons believed would cause destruction to the entire world. Shiva consumed the deadly poison to save the world. However, the Lord held the poison in his throat instead of swallowing it. And the Lord's throat turned blue due to the poison's effect which is why Shiva is also known as Neelkanth.
Several kinds of offerings which are presented before the Lord on this day -
According to Shiv Purana, the following items are a must -
Shiva Linga must be bathed with water, milk and honey. Also, bilva patra must be offered to the lord as it purifies the soul. Vermilion must be applied over Shiva Linga after bathing, it represents virtue. Symbolising longevity, different kinds of fruits are offered to the Linga for the fulfillment of wishes.
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