Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivratri is largely celebrated in all over India by Hindu community. It falls on the new moon in the month of Maagha as per the Hindu calendar. Maha Shivratri is known as a Great Night of Shiva. It is to be believed that Maha Shivaratri was the moment when Lord Shiva performs a beautiful dance it was the night when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married.

Devotees often do fast and offerings are observed in the night to Lingam. Some people avoid all the food items during the fasting practices for the entire day during Maha Shivaratri. While others do restrict fast practices called Phalar. As per this tradition, people offer some items like milk, yoghurt, fruit, almonds, peanuts, cashew and honey on Shivlingam during Maha Shivaratri. It is believed that those who complete these practices along with Jagrana are believed to be blessed with happiness in their life. Fasting and other practices bring a good luck into their lives.

After earth's creation was complete, Parvati asked Lord Shiva which devotees and rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phalgun, is his favorite day. As per Sadhguru, the planetary positions on this night are such that there is a powerful natural upsurge of energy in the human system. Devotees, who like yogic sadhana, keeping the body in a vertical position, and not sleeping on all night.

A Brief History of Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated all across India. The festival will be celebrated on 08 March 2024. On this day Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped and their convergence or union is celebrated. Together they make Shiv and Shakti, Destruction and Creation, two processes that are inevitable and important for the human race. Men and women fast from the morning and only eat after the Puja. It is also believed that women who fast and pray to Lord Shiva genuinely will be blessed with a husband like Him.

Mahashivratri is an important festival for Hindus in the Indian subcontinent. It is said that on the night of the event, Lord Shiva performs the cosmic dance that signifies creation, destruction, and life itself. Different types of sweets are prepared and offered to Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati.

How is it celebrated?
On the day of Maha Shivratri, people fast the whole day and night. Almost all temples dedicated to Lord Shiva see a huge congregation of devotees from the early hours of the morning. Pujas are performed before the lingam (idol), after which people take a bath in the holy water of the Ganga river. Devotees also being a pot full of Ganga water that they offer to the lingam. According to the Shiva Purana, there are six steps to the Maha Shivratri puja. The first is taking bath in Ganga, followed by the bathing of the lingam in the Ganga water, and then with milk and honey. After this, vermilion paste is applied to the lingam and fruits and flowers are offered to the idol. The ritual of lighting a diya near the idol is a symbolic gesture for achieving more knowledge. Afterwards, betel leaves are offered to the lingam. Devotees also apply holy ash to their foreheads. This represents cleanliness, penance and spiritual knowledge. They also wear garlands made of the seeds of Rudraksha tree.

Importance of Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. It is also very significant for people who are in family situations, and also for the ambitious in the world. People who live in family situations observe Mahashivratri as Shiva’s wedding anniversary. Those with worldly ambitions see that day as the day Shiva conquered all his enemies.

But, for the ascetics, it is the day he became one with Mount Kailash. He became like a mountain – absolutely still. In the yogic tradition, Shiva is not worshipped as a God, but considered as the Adi Guru, the first Guru from whom the science of Yoga originated. After many millennia in meditation, one day he became absolutely still. That day is Mahashivratri. All movement in him stopped and he became utterly still, so ascetics see Mahashivratri as the night of stillness.