Mahashivratri is a prominent Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. Millions of people around the nation observe a one-time annual event by fasting and being awake all day and night. Mahashivratri is an annual festival that takes place between February and March. It is popularly accepted that Lord Shiva conducts his Tandava dance on this night.
The purpose of the Maha Shivratri celebration is to dispel ignorance and evil from the earth. Spiritually minded people anticipate Mahashivratri because they think this is the day they will reach their spiritual zeniths and progress toward a deeper relationship with God.
What Is The Meaning Of Maha Shivaratri?
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism.
The festival is celebrated on the 13th or 14th day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, which falls in February or March in the Gregorian calendar.
The word "Maha Shivaratri" literally means "the great night of Lord Shiva." On this night, devotees of Lord Shiva observe fasts and perform rituals and prayers to seek his blessings and forgiveness. It is believed that Lord Shiva danced the Tandava Nritya (a dance of destruction) on this night and that observing fasts and performing rituals during Maha Shivaratri can bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to one's life.
Why Is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated for several reasons, some of which are:
- To worship Lord Shiva: Maha Shivaratri is primarily a festival to worship Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Devotees observe fasts and perform Pujas (religious rituals) to seek his blessings and forgiveness.
- To mark the day of Lord Shiva's marriage: According to Hindu mythology, Maha Shivaratri marks the day of Lord Shiva's marriage to the goddess Parvati. This day is considered auspicious for married couples and is believed to bring happiness and harmony to their lives.
- To celebrate the night of Lord Shiva's Tandava Nritya: It is believed that Lord Shiva danced the Tandava Nritya, a dance of destruction, on this night. Observing fasts and performing rituals during Maha Shivaratri is believed to bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to one's life.
- To mark the day of Lord Shiva's creation: According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva was created on the night of Maha Shivaratri. Devotees observe this day to commemorate the creation of Lord Shiva and to seek his blessings.
Maha Shivaratri is an important festival for the Hindu community and is celebrated with great devotion and reverence. The festival is marked by the gathering of devotees at Shiva temples, where they offer prayers, perform Pujas, and sing devotional songs. The festival is also a time for spiritual reflection, self-discovery, and renewal.
Maha Shivratri: Myths and Legends
The festival's historical origins and contemporary significance are intertwined with Indian mythology. The dance of primordial creation, preservation, and destruction, known as the Tandava Nritya, is said to have been performed by Shiva for the first time on Maha Shivaratri, according to folklore. Lord Shiva prevented the end of the world by performing this act of devotion.
Maha Shivaratri commemorates the day Shiva united with Mount Kailash and the event of his marriage to the Goddess Parvati. Shiva is regarded in the yogic tradition, although not as a deity, but as the Adi Guru—the first Guru from whom the yoga discipline descended. Maha Shivarati is a night of silence and stillness dedicated to and inspired by Lord Shiva's stoic dignity and self-control.
Shivratri commemorates the day when Lord Shiva saved the world by consuming poison that surfaced from the ocean during Samudra Manthan, following folklore. Because of the blue color of his throat due to the poison that was stored there, Lord Shiva is also known as Neelkanth (blue throat).
According to mythology found in the Shiva Purana, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, two members of the triad of Hindu gods, were engaged in a battle to determine who was more powerful. The other gods, horrified by the ferocity of this conflict, pleaded with Lord Shiva to step in and convince them that this fight was pointless. Shiva appeared between Brahma and Vishnu as a massive column of fire. The latter Gods decided to locate the fire column's apex. Lord Vishnu took the form of Varaha, the Hindu god Vishnu in the form of a hog, and entered the Earth, while Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and sailed above. Brahma and Vishnu could not reach the end because the light was an unbounded force.
Lord Brahma stumbled across a Ketaki flower floating down slowly while traveling. The flower was questioned about her origins and said she had been presented at the top of the fire column. Lord Brahma decided to give up his pursuit and accept the flower as proof. Shiva was enraged by this, so he retaliated against Brahma for lying and cursed him such that no one would ever make a prayer to him. There is currently only one temple in Ajmer, Rajasthan, called Pushkar, which is devoted to him. She was forbidden from being used as an offering for any form of worship, just as the Ketaki flower had testified falsely. Maha Shivaratri is observed in Lord Shiva's honor since he assisted in calming the gods.
Another myth states that Goddess Parvati once begged Lord Shiva to spare the earth from annihilation. Lord Shiva agreed to save it in exchange for the world's people offering him devoted and passionate love. The day became known as Maha Shivratri as a result. Additionally, it is thought that flowers begin to bloom precisely one day after Maha Shivratri, indicating the earth's fertility.
Difference between Shivratri and Maha Shivratri
Shivratri and Maha Shivratri are frequently misunderstood. Maha Shivratri is the most remarkable of the shivratris. Shivratris take place each month. However, Maha Shivratri only happens once a year. Every lunar month, on the fourteenth day, people celebrate Shivratri. To put it simply, it is also the day before the new moon. Shivratri is a twelve-time-per-year celebration that is special for honoring Lord Shiva. Maha Shivratri, one of the 12 shivratris, occurs between February and March. The word "maha" signifies the most important. This is regarded as the biggest or most significant shivratri celebration in the Hindu calendar.
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Spiritual Significance of Maha Shivratri
In Hindu culture, some people follow many spiritual paths. Mahashivratri is a significant occasion for each of them. Mahashivratri is a day when the Northern Hemisphere of the globe is in a special position, according to spiritual teachers. All living things, therefore, have access to a plentiful source of energy as a result. These gurus think that individuals can have exceptional spiritual experiences on this day.
Numerous religious organizations hold all-night chanting and meditation sessions to encourage people to discover their spiritual inclination.
Maha Shivratri Fast
Fasting is going without food or liquids for a set amount of time. The Hindu faith has historically encouraged fasting, and due to the health advantages of fasting, many specialists now support this practice.
The maha shivratri vrat is another name for the fast. This involves fasting for 24 hours, from the festival's morning to the following day. The Puranas claim that goddess Parvati grabbed his neck to stop Lord Shiva from ingesting the poison churned from the ocean of milk. She did not eat or drink anything as she clutched his neck for a day and a night.
Scientific research has shown that fasting for 24 hours might help the body detoxify and regain balance. It could be challenging to fast for the entire day without food or liquids. This is why people generally fast during Mahashivratri in groups to support one another, chant texts and stay awake without getting hungry or sleepy.
Maha Shivratri 2023
Every year on Chaturdashi, the 14th day of the lunar calendar ending Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Phalguna (according to the North Indian calendar), or the Maagha month, the Mahashivratri fast is held (as per the South Indian calendar). According to the Gregorian calendar, this occurs between the middle of February and the middle of March.
The date of Mahashivratri in 2023 is Saturday, February 18. The fast often begins on the day of the celebration and lasts all day and night. Observers break their fast the following morning, after 24 hours. The fasting will start on the morning of February 18 and end on the morning of February 19, 2023.
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What to Eat on Maha Shivratri
While complete fasting on Maha Shivratri is advised, it may not always be practical. On this day, those who don't fast typically prepare home-cooked meals with dessert and serve them to Lord Shiva before serving the rest of the family. The following foods and beverages are therefore permitted during the fast:
- Fresh fruits
- Fresh vegetables
- Fruit and vegetable juices
- Milk
- Black or herbal tea
- Coffee
- Yogurt or buttermilk
- Salted (rock salt or sendha namak) and steamed tapioca
- Cooked sabudana, also known as sago and tapioca pearl
- Dishes made using white pumpkin
You must look after your health all day long if this is your first time observing the Maha Shivratri fast. Due to a lack of meals, you could become weary and dehydrated and experience fainting spells. Restoring electrolyte balance and reducing fatigue can be accomplished by drinking water flavored with salt and sugar.
Others drink coconut water all day to avoid feeling worn out from fasting. If you feel light-headed when fasting, consuming some fruit juice or milk is okay. Before undertaking a 24-hour fast, anyone with pre-existing medical concerns needs to consult their doctor and get the go-ahead.
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Celebrating Maha Shivratri at Home
Here are some instructions for having a home Mahashivratri celebration.
- Take a bath after getting up early.
- Visit a neighboring Shiva temple.
- If you can, try Maha Shivratri fast.
- Find friends or family celebrating Maha Shivratri and try observing the day with them.
- Meditation plays a big part in Maha Shivratri celebrations.
- Attend the Maha Shivratri puja that happens close to your house.
- Stay awake the whole night if you can. You can spend the night chanting mantras, listening to spiritual stories, and visiting temples (many temples remain open the whole night).
Fresh flowers are placed in the puja rooms at homes where Lord Shiva is worshipped. Vilva leaf, also known as bael leaf, is exceedingly auspicious and is dedicated to Lord Shiva if it is discovered in the location where you are staying. Mahashivratri pooja can be performed using these leaves.
Top 5 Popular Hindu Temples You Must Visit During Maha Shivratri
- Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important Shiva temples in the world and is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The temple attracts thousands of devotees during Maha Shivaratri, and the celebrations include all-night vigils, devotional songs, and the offering of prayers to Lord Shiva.
- Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand, India: Kedarnath Temple is a revered Shiva temple located in the picturesque state of Uttarakhand in India. The temple is believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva. During Maha Shivaratri, the temple attracts a large number of devotees, who come to offer prayers and perform Pujas.
- Amarnath Temple, Jammu and Kashmir, India: Amarnath Temple is a revered Shiva temple located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The temple is famous for its ice Lingam, which is considered to be a symbol of Lord Shiva and is believed to change its size with the phases of the moon. During Maha Shivaratri, the temple attracts a large number of devotees, who come to offer prayers and perform Pujas.
- Somnath Temple, Gujarat, India: Somnath Temple is a revered Shiva temple located in the state of Gujarat in India. The temple is believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites for devotees of Lord Shiva. During Maha Shivaratri, the temple attracts a large number of devotees, who come to offer prayers and perform Pujas.
- Trimbakeshwar Temple, Nashik, India: Trimbakeshwar Temple is a revered Shiva temple located in the city of Nashik in India. The temple is considered to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and is famous for its unique architecture and the sacred waters of the Godavari River that flow nearby. During Maha Shivaratri, the temple attracts a large number of devotees, who come to offer prayers and perform Pujas.
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