Feb
23
Maha Shivratri – A Hindu Festival!!
“Shankarji ki Jai” (Hail! Lord Shiva)
Lord Shiva
Today, 23 February 2009, all Hindus in India are celebrating Maha Shivratri, Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri (Night of Shiva or “Great Night of Shiva”). It is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon).
There are various Mythological legends explaining the origin of this auspicious day. Some say that….
…..during a mythological era Gods (Devas) and Demons (Asuras) organised a Samudra Manthan (the churning of ocean) to acquire Amrita (the nectar of immortality), but before its appearance, haalaa-hala, a poison came out of the ocean, which was so toxic that it could wipe out the entire creation. Both the parties were in gave danger, so on advice of Lord Vishnu they prayed Lord Shiva. Pleased with the prayer and love for living beings Lord Shiva drank the poison but due to its intense effect something was required to cool it off so help was taken from Chandra( Moon God ) and finally a snake was placed around his neck which cooled the effect of the poison and the throat became blue, thus he got the name Neelakantha.This saga is the most common of all.
Thus follows many other stories…….which you can Read here
There are some Rituals which are to be performed to celebrate Maha Shivratri.
- On the morning of Maha Shivratri all the devotees wake up early and take a ritual sunrise bath, preferably in the holy water of Ganga. Prayers are also offered to the Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva as a part of a purification rite observed on this all-important Hindu festival. Later after wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva Temple to give the customary bath to the Shivalinga.
- As per the Shiva Purana, every three hours, Shivalingam is given a special bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, sandalwood paste and rose water. Puja, meditation and chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ accompany the ritual bath. Following the bath, vermilion paste is applied on the linga. Traditionally, leaves of a forest tree Aegle marmelos (bilwa, maredu, wood apple) are used for Shiva puja. Thereafter, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga. Ber or jujube fruit is a special offering to the god on this day.
- Worshiping of Lord Shiva is continued all night long with devotees singing hymns and verses in praise and devotion of Lord Shiva besides the intense chanting of “Om Namah Shivay“. Devotees keep fast the whole day for their devotion.
It’s said that those who perform the rituals with intense devotion get all their sins forgiven and get great blessings of Lord Shiva.
I gives a divine feeling to write this post along with fast. Even though I’m hungry but some unnatural energy emerges from inside which helps me complete my devotion.
So this post goes to Almighty Lord Shiva – “Jai ho Shiv Shankar ji ki!!”
