bunmaska thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#1

MahashivRatri

Maha Shivratri falls on the month of February or the beginning of March every year. This religious festival celebrates worship of 'Shiva the Creator,the Preserver and the Destroyer. This night marks the night when He danced the Tandav.

Siva is an ancient deity. Among the Hindu triumvirate, Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver and Siva is considered the destroyer (Trident force). In various forms Siva may be traced clearly right through the early historic age to the Indus valley civilization : further back in mesolithic carvings on walls. Some feel Siva as the lord of the animals or the hunt, is reflected even as far ago as the paleolithic age as found in the cave paintings in many places in the world. This symbolizes Siva as an ancient deity.The legends of Siva reveal all these aspects. Sivaratri signifies the end of winter and the arrival of spring as well.

Devotees of Shiva observe a fast(vrat) during this day and stay up the whole night at the place of worship. Those observing the Shivaratri fast, break their fast only the next morning. They sing holy songs(Bhajans) in praise of the Lord and holy texts are chanted through out the night(Shivaratri-literaly means the night of Lord Shiva). In the temples and even the makeshift pandals on that day , shivalingam - the phallic symbol of lord is worshipped.The traditional form of worship starts with the bathing of the lingam with milk.

On this day, numerous devotees flock to the temples to perform the auspicious ritual of bathing the Shiva linga. The pandits in the temples perform the Puja (religious worship) as instructed by the holy scriptures. They use five things traditionally known as the 'panchagavya' to bathe the lingam, these are - 'milk, sour milk, butter, cow's urine and cow dung'. Shivratri is one of the most important religious festivals of the Hindus as Lord Shiva is considered to be the most powerful God of the Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

'Lord Shiva' is possibly the coolest God in the Indian Mythology. Cool - not only because his abode is believed to be atop the snow-capped mountain, Mt. Kailash but also because his image stands out in contrast to the conventional idea of the nature of Gods today. He can dance. He dances when he is angry; his dance is the dance of destruction.This famous 'dance of rage ' is known as the Tandava. He doesn't socialize much with the other Gods of the amply populated celestial realms but often spends his time with the ghosts and the Ghouls instead. Even the flowers that are considered to be sacred to 'Lord Shiva' are Dhatura and jati, plants more appreciated for their intoxicating properties and medicinal value than for their beauty. These slightly shaded areas of his nature add to the mystery that is 'Shiva', lend to his image a charisma that few can resist. His munificence make him a popular God for he is known to be easy to please and generous with his boons. He is very popular with women, they are his most zealous devotees. (Married women observe fast on Mondays for the wellbeing of their husbands, maidens wishing for a good match also observe fast).

Time to chant mantras of Lord Shiva is here again

bringing with it divinity and gain

Have a propserous and divine Shivrathri

and may it bring you all that is wished for

throughout the year

Wishing you and your beloved ones

A Happy MahaShivratri. OM NAMAH SHIVAI !

Lots of Love from

Lata and Family😆

Edited by Lata - 19 years ago

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*Guli* thumbnail
20th Anniversary Thumbnail Stunner Thumbnail + 4
Posted: 19 years ago
#2
Happy Mahashivratri To All My Fellow IFians and TDians
maja thumbnail
20th Anniversary Thumbnail Visit Streak 180 Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 19 years ago
#3

Happy Mahashivratri to Everyone on this forum!

Thanks Lata for the good wishes and posting this article.


vidya0906 thumbnail
20th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail Engager Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 19 years ago
#4
Thanks Lata for the wonderful article on Mahashivaratri. Wish you and your family also a very happy Shivaratri and the Lord's blessings be showered on you and your loved ones always.

With love,

Akka
hello98 thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#5
Happy Mahashrivathi to all on the forum.
silk opal thumbnail
20th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail
Posted: 19 years ago
#6

Thanks for sharing, lata di.

Happy MahaShivratri, IFians

Chits1 thumbnail
20th Anniversary Thumbnail Trailblazer Thumbnail Engager Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 19 years ago
#7
Happy shivratri to all in the forum.Thanx lata for that wonderful article on shivratri.
~LiNa~ thumbnail
20th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail
Posted: 19 years ago
#8
happy shivratri everyone!

i knew nothing abt this festival..but now i know alot more!

thx lata di for posting this article! 👏
SweetButSpicy thumbnail
Font-astic Voyage Thumbnail 20th Anniversary Thumbnail + 8
Posted: 19 years ago
#9

Originally posted by: no1TDfan

HAPPY MAHASHIVRATRI TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF I-F!!!!!

thanx latadi 4 the article!

HaPpY mAhAsHiVrAtI 2 EvErY1 oN I-F !!!!!!!!!

harsy thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail
Posted: 19 years ago
#10
Happy mahasivaraathri to all the members on the forum

thanks lathakka....u were so promising in posting these articles akka.... 😊

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