Maha Shivaratri – Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs a celestial dance called Tandava.
Each month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar has a Shivaratri (“Shiva night”) on the day before the new moon. But once a year, at the end of winter and before the arrival of summer (February or March), this night is called ‘Maha Shivaratri’, or ‘The Great Night of Shiva’. This day falls in the month of Phalguna in the North Indian Hindu calendar and in the month of Maga in the South Indian Hindu calendar (see the system of Amanta and Purnimantha).
A celebrated Hindu festival, the festival is solemn and commemorates the “overcoming of darkness and ignorance” in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva, chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, not harming others, charity, forgiveness, and discovering Shiva.
According to legend, Maha Shivaratri is when Shiva first performed Tandavanitya. This is also known as the Dance of Primordial Creation, Preservation, and Destruction. Through this devotional dance, Lord Shiva saved the world from destruction
On the day of Shivratri, after completing the morning rituals, devotees should take Sankalp and fast for a full day of Shivratri, then eat the next day as described by Drik Panchang. Also, on Shivratri day, a devotee should perform his second bath in the evening before performing Shiva Puja or visiting a temple.
Significance
The festival of Maha Shivratri has a special significance in Indian culture. Indians worship Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri. To honor the Lord, the Hindu community celebrates this festival. His 14th day in the lunar calendar, i.e. the day before the full moon, is said to be called Shivratri every year. It is also believed that Lord Shiva performs Tandav and marries Shakti on this night.
In 2023, Maha Shivaratri will be celebrated on February 18th. With just over a month to go until the Maha Shivratri celebration, you need to know some important details about the celebration. This year Shani Pradosh Vrat will be held at the same time as Maha Shivratri. Lord Shiva bestows the blessing of having a son on those who observe the Shani Pradosh fast.
Legend of Mahashivaratri
There are many famous legends associated with the auspicious festival of Mahashivaratri. These Shivaratri legends describe the common practice of staying up all night with Shivaratri while chanting the name of Lord Shiva. Furthermore, these also shed light on Lord Shiva’s greatness and his superiority over all other Hindu gods and goddesses.
Provide detailed accounts of these fascinating legends associated with Lord Shiva. an attempt was made to Click the link below to learn more about the origins and history of Maha Shivaratri his festival.
Maha Shivratri
According to the Puranas, several stories and legends explain the origin of the Shivratri festival. According to one story, during Samudra Manson, a jar made of poison emerged from the sea. All the gods and demons feared that this would destroy the whole world, so the gods sought help from Lord Shiva.
To protect the whole world from evil influences, Shiva swallowed all the poisons and Instead of swallowing it, it was stuck in the throat. This is why the throat turns blue and is also known as Neelakantha. Shivratri is celebrated as the event where Shiva saved the world. Another story is mentioned in the Shiv Purana.
Once upon a time, Brahma and Vishnu fought over who was superior. Other gods became frightened and went to Lord Shiva to intervene in the war. To make them understand the futility of their struggle, Shiva took the form of a giant fire that stretches the length of the universe. To this end, Brahma ascended in the form of a swan and Vishnu descended to the earth in the form of Varaha.
But the fire had no end and they searched for thousands of kilometers without finding the end. On his journey to the summit, Brahma met the Ketaki flower. He asked Ketaki where he came from. Ketaki replied that it was placed on top of a pillar of fire as an offering. Brahma could not find the upper limit and he came with flowers as a witness.
Then Shiva revealed her true identity and got angry. Brahma could not find the upper limit and lie. So he was punished by Shiva for lying and cursed that no one should pray for him. Even the use of Ketaki flowers as worship offerings was forbidden. Shiva’s first appearance in the form of a lingam was on his 14th day of the dark half-moon of Phalguna, so this day is particularly auspicious and is celebrated as Mahahi Shivratri.
Worshiping Shiva on this day is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. According to another popular legend, Shiva gave Goddess Paravati, an incarnation of Shakti, and wished to marry him, impressed by her devotion. On a moonless night, after marriage, the goddess fasted for her health. Even today, this ritual is followed by an Indian woman praying for her husband’s long life.
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