_/\_An Auspicious Night of Prayers :Shubh Shivratri _/\_

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Posted: 8 years ago

O m S h a n k a r a y a N a m a h a !

Mahashivratri or "Night of Lord Shiva" is celebrated all over India and Nepal with devotion and religious fervor. Shivratri falls on the moonless thirteenth or the fourteenth night of the new moon during Krishna Paksha, which falls in the month of Phalgun (February /March) in the English calendar.

Devotees abstain from eating on the Shivratri day and stay awake all night by spending their time in temples worshiping Lord Shiva or chanting his hymns and verses along with the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya". Special poojas and rituals continue whole night at temples and the devotees break their fast the next morning. It is believed that a devotee who sincerely worships Lord Shiva on this auspicious night is absolved of all sins and is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation.

Significance of Shivratri for women

It's believed that Goddess Parvati had performed severe penance and prayers on the auspicious moonless night of Shivratri to ward off any evil that may have befallen her husband Lord Shiva. Womenfolk perform Shiv poojas for the well being of their husbands on Shivratri and unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is considered to be an ideal husband.

There are various legends associated with Shivratri.

Marriage of Shiva and Shakti

One of the most important legends attached to Shivratri is the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati who is the reincarnation of Devi Sati or one of the forms of the almighty Goddess Shakti. The marriage was solemnized on the day before new moon in the month of Phalgun after Goddess Parvati had performed rigorous penance to win over Lord Shiva. This union is celebrated as Maha Shivratri every year.

Samudra Manthan

Another important legend associated with Shivratri explains how Lord Shiva came to be called as the Neelkantha or the One with a blue neck. In order to save the entire creation, Lord Shiva drank the pot of poison orvish that came out during the amrit manthan battle between the Devas and Asuras. Goddess Parvati pressed his neck so as to stop the poison entering his stomach thus changing his throat color into blue without harming him. To keep him awake throught out the night so as to keep the poison for entering his body, Gods and sages took turn in singing hymns of him. Thus, Shivratri is also claimed to be a celebration of this event when Lord Shiva had saved the world.

Shiva Linga

It is believed that on the dark fourteenth night of the month of Phalgun, Lord Shiva first manifested himself in the form of Linga or Lingodbhavamurthy when Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu saw Him. Brahma and Vishnu tried to discover the beginning and the end of Lord Shiva in his Linga form and their search vent in vain thus revealing the supremacy of Lord Mahadev over other Gods. Lingams are believed to the most potent emblems in Hindu ideals. Shivaratri is an auspicious celebration on account of this manifestation and devotees believe that worshiping Shiva on this night bestows them with happiness and prosperity.

The tale of Lubdhaka

The story of Lubdhaka, a tribal and a devout worshiper of Lord Shiva also holds importance as others. Lubdhaka once went to the deep forests to collect firewood and seek shelter on bael tree to protect him from animals at night. As he was scared of dozing off and falling down in the dark, he started to pluck the bael leaves and drop them down chanting Lord Shiva's name. In the morning, he realized that he had been dropping thousand of leaves on Shiva Linga. This Legend of Lubdhaka is recited on every Shivratri night without fail and bael leaves are offered to Lord Shiva on that night.

Ganga

Another important legend of Shivratri is related to the the descent of Ganga river from heaven to earth. Lord Shiva held out his thick matted hair thus softening her flow and vigor as She descented from heaven to wash away the ashes of King Bhagirath's ancestors. This manifestation of Lord Shiva is called Gangadhara(the bearer or Lord of River Ganga). Devotees take a dip in the holy waters of Ganga river during Maha Shivratri.

Lord Shiva's assurance

Once Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva about what rituals can his devotees perform to please him the most, Lord Shiva explained that that 14th night of new moon day during the month of Phalgun is his favourite day. Thus, Shivratri is celebrated with spiritual discipline and Shiva is worshiped in four different forms during each of the four successive periods of the Night. Lord assured that offerings of bael leaves and bathing Shiv Linga with milk, curd and honey by devotees would please him. It is believed that this was passed on by the people and devotees began to follow these on the Maha Shivratri to please Lord Shiva and acquire his blessings.

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Edited by Aahaana - 8 years ago

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Posted: 8 years ago

The festival of Mahashivaratri bears immense significance in Hindu culture and is celebrated with remarkable vigor and devotion all across the country. The Hindus across the length and breadth of the country and even elsewhere celebrate the festival with gusto.

This auspicious celebration in India is marked with religious fervor,immense devotion and colorful rituals. Right from the dawn of the daythrough the night, the devotees all across the country observe a number ofrituals on Mahashivratri.

The Holy Bath

The real celebration of Shivratri begins in the temples on the night of"Chauthas" or "Choudesh" (fourteenth day of the waxing moon) and lasts till the morning of Amavas (the dark night). As a tradition devotees wake up early in the morning of the Mahashivratri day and take a ritual sunrise bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. They also offer prayers to the Sun God, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva as a part of apurification rite observed on all-important Hindu festivals. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva Temple to offer prayers to & seek blessings from Lord Shiva.

The Morning Rituals

On a Shivratri day, Shiva temples are thronged by devotees, mainly women, who come to perform the traditional Shivalinga pooja and seek blessings from the God. At times, there is so much rush in the temples that devotees have to wait for their turn to observe pooja.At their turn for worship, devotees circumambulate the Shivalinga, three or seven times, and then pour water over it. Some also pour milk. Sounds of bell and shouts of 'Shankarji ki Jai' or Hail Shiva reverberate in the temple premises.

Ritualistic Shiva Lingam Bath

Following the rituals prescribed in 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, are kept on top of the Shivalinga. Ber or jujube fruit is a special offering to the God on this day. Beetle leaves are also offered by some. Some also offer bilwa leaves in the belief that the Goddess Lakshmi resides in them. Others believe it is offered for its cooling effects on the hot-tempered deity. Many devotees also decorate the linga with flowers and garlands and offer incense sticks and fruit.

According to the Shiva Purana, the Maha Shivratri worship mustincorporate six items:

1. Bael leaves - The ceremonial offering of bael leaves representspurification of the soul.

2. Vermilion paste (Sindoor) - Applying this on the linga after bathing it represents virtue.

3. Food items - Food items such as rice and fruits are offered to the Lord to ensure a long life and fulfillment of desires.

4. Incense (Dhoop) - Incense sticks are kindled before the deity to gain wealth.

5. Lamp (Diya) - The lighting of the lamp is believed to be conducive to the attainment of knowledge.

6. Betel leaves (Paan patta) - This signifies satisfaction with worldly pleasures.

These six items form an indispensable part of Maha Shivratri and are still used in the traditional worship of the Lord, be it a simple ceremony at home or grand temple worship.

Traditional Drink

Lord Shiva is worshiped as an ascetic god and thus the festival of Maha Shivaratri bears special significance to the ascetics. Thandai, a special drink made with bhang (Cannabis), almonds, and milk, is essentially prepared on this day. The devotees, especially the ascetics, drink this cannabis drink and offer their prayers to the almighty and seek his blessings.

All-Night Shiva Worship

Worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the night on Shivaratri Festival. Devotees stay awake all night and spend the night in templesin worship of Lord Shiva. Singing of hymns and verses in praise and devotion of Lord Shiva besides the intense chanting of 'Om Namah Shivay', the mantra that is said free people from all their sins, continue through the night on Shivaratri.

Shivaratri is an important Indian festival which the devotees observe with utmost sincerity and offer their prayers to the deity who is said to be the destroyer of evil seeking salvation.

We sincerely hope Lord Shiva brings prosperity and happiness to all of you out there!

Har HarMahadev!

Edited by _7th_HorcruX_ - 8 years ago