SIGNIFICANT OF SIVARATRI - ORIGIN MAHA SIVARATHRI
MAHA SIVARATRI ; Maha Shivaratri or ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated all over India on
the 14th moonless night in Phalgun. It is very auspicious festival on
which people keep fast and chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ all night. Sweets
like saboodana kheer, cashewnut barfi, shivratri raita, aloo khichdi,
potato pumpkin pancakes and tikki along with Thadai (Bhaang) is
distributed.
Origin of Shivratri: According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan,
a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were
terrified as it could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva
for help, he in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but
held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat
blue, and since then he came to be known as 'Nilkantha', the
blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event by which Shiva saved
the world.
"Om Namah Shivaya!": All through the day the
devotees keep severe fast, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra "Om
Namah Shivaya", make offerings of flowers and incense to the Lord amidst
ringing of temple bells. They maintain long vigils during the night,
keeping awake to listen to stories, hymns and songs. The fast is broken
only the next morning, after the nightlong worship. In Kashmir, the
festival is held for 15 days. The 13th day is observed as a day of fast
followed by a family feast.
The Festivity: People
observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even take a drop
of water and they keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped
throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd,
honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra "Om Namah
Shivaya" continues. Offerings of Bael leaves are made to the Lingam as
Bael leaves are considered very sacred and it is said that Goddess
Lakshmi resides in them.
Hymns in
praise of Lord Shiva, such as the "Shiva Mahimna Stotra" of Pushpadanta
or Ravana's "Shiva Tandava Stotra" are sung with great fervour and
devotion. People repeat the 'Panchakshara' Mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya".
He, who utters the names of Shiva during Shivratri, with perfect
devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode
of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of
births and deaths. Many pilgrims dock to the places where there are
Shiva temples.
Importance In Hinduism:
According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva declared that the rituals
performed by his devotees on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the
month of Phalgun please him the most. Therefore, year by year, the day
is observed as Mahashivratri, wherein devotees observe fast, sing songs
and bhajans and offer prayers to the Almighty to seek his blessings.
Pujas conducted in Lord Shiva temples during the day have significance
too. This is because the rituals are conducted strictly in accordance
with the method that is prescribed in Shiva Purana, a Hindu epic.
According to the Purana, poojas are conducted once in every three hours,
on Maha Shivaratri.
Importance In Human Lives:
It is believed that the devotion of Lord Shiva on Mahashivaratri would
freed the devotee from the past sins. Moreover, the devotee would reach
the adobe of Lord Shiva and live there happily, because he/she is
liberated from the cycle of birth and death, once he/she attains moksha
or salvation. Therefore, all the devotees of Lord Shiva would flock the
temples to offer their prayers. To serve the purpose, jujube fruits,
stalks of Bilwa leaves, flowers and garlands are offered to the Shiva
Linga by the devotees. If the devotee celebrates the festival at home,
he/she would perform the Mahashivratri Puja by taking a holy bath (in
warm water) early in the morning, wearing new clothes and then smearing
bhasm (holy ash) on their forehead.
A Festival Significant for Women : Shivratri is
considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the
well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an
ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and Durga.
But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva
during Shivratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He or she
reaches the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and
death.
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