Have you ever thought of a night so special that it is believed you might communicate with the divine? This is what Maha Shivratri looks like, a sacred day for devotees worldwide.
It is a day to celebrate Lord Shiva. On the day of Maha Shivratri, you can feel the universe filled with great sacred energy. In this blog, we will explore the significance of Maha Shivratri, why it is celebrated, and the mythological stories behind it.
What is Maha Shivratri?
Maha Shivratri, “The Great Night of Shiva”, is celebrated on the 14th night of the lunar month of Phalguna (or sometimes Magha) of the Hindu calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, it takes place in February or March. Maha Shivratri 2025 falls on 26th February.
Significance of Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri holds great spiritual significance as the entire day is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The following are some of the main reasons which show the significance of Maha Shivratri:
Opportunity to connect with the Divine: It is believed that on this night, the barrier between the world of humans and the divine minimizes. This makes the night of Maha Shivratri special as it is considered a powerful time to pray and connect with the Lord Shiva.
Overcoming Darkness: Maha Shivratri symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. It is believed that, on this night, with true devotion, people can fight with their inner darkness and make themselves free from negative thoughts.
Spiritual Awakening: Maha Shivratri is considered highly auspicious for spiritual awakening and inner transformation. On this night, devotees seek blessings by engaging in prayers and chanting mantras, aiming to clean their sins and purify their souls for a better life.
Blessings from Lord Shiva: It is believed that, on Maha Shivratri, Lord Shiva is more receptive to his devotees' prayers. By dedicating this night to Lord Shiva and doing the necessary rituals, like Pooja and offerings, you can seek blessings for peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
Why is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?
Maha Shivratri is celebrated to honor the wedding of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. Devotees also remember other actions done by Lord Shiva on this night to honor him and seek his blessings to get a step closer to spiritual awakening.
Marriage of Shiva and Parvati
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati, also known as Sati, was in love with Lord Shiva and wanted to marry him. However, her father, King Daksha, was against their marriage and hence disrespected Lord Shiva.
When Goddess Parvathi (known as Sati in her first life) came to know about this, she was heartbroken and felt bad. As a result, she sacrificed herself by going into the fire.
When Lord Shiva got to know about this, he couldn’t control his anger and performed the Tandava, his cosmic dance of destruction. The situation was so intense that Lord Shiva even threatened to destroy the entire universe.
Upon receiving this news, Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, decided to dismember Sati’s body into 51 parts using his Sudarshan Chakra. He did this to calm Lord Shiva from his extreme grief. All 51 parts fell on different places on Earth.
Lord Shiva still could not accept the loss of Sati and roamed around the entire universe with her body. However, all the gods and goddesses tried to stop him and advised him to accept reality.
Over time, Lord Shiva understood that her beloved Sati was finally gone, so he moved to a cave and started meditating there. Meanwhile, Sati was reborn as Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Himalayas.
Sati’s love for Lord Shiva was so intense and pure that she took a rebirth and devoted herself to Lord Shiva. Finally, Lord Shiva was impressed by her dedication and married Goddess Parvati.
This tale of the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is filled with divine love, true devotion, and harmony. It symbolizes that true love always finds its way, regardless of multiple obstructions.
Cosmic Dance of Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva is known for his powerful, cosmic dance, Tandava. This symbolizes creation, preservation, and destruction; three dynamic forces that govern the entire universe. The form of Shiva, when he performed Tandava, is known as “Nataraja”.
Shiva’s Selfless Act
On Maha Shivaratri, people also remember the selfless act of Lord Shiva when he consumed the poison to save the universe.
As per Hindu mythology, during the Samudra Manthan, a deadly poison named Halahala emerged from the ocean. This poison had the power to destroy the entire universe.
To save the world from the massive destruction, Lord Shiva stepped in and drank the full pot of Halahala poison. After drinking the whole poison, Lord Shiva’s throat turned blue and he got his name “Neelkantha”.
How is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?
Maha Shivratri is celebrated differently across India, however, there are certain rituals that are followed everywhere. These rituals include:
Fasting: Multiple people are seen fasting on Maha Shivratri, which ranges from straining from food and water or only consuming fruits and milk throughout the day. This symbolizes self-discipline and is believed to purify one’s mind to enhance the spiritual experience.
Vigil: Devotees stay awake throughout the night and sing bhajans or kirtan. Apart from this, people also meditate and chant prayers dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Visiting Temple: Visiting the temple is a central part of the Maha Shivaratri celebration. Devotees perform pooja by offering flowers, milk, water, and fruits to the Shiva Lingam. People often chant the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” while doing this as it is believed to be directly heard by Lord Shiva.
Decorations and Offerings: During Maha Shivratri, the temples are filled with mesmerizing essences of flowers and are also decorated with lights and colorful fabrics. The offerings offered to Shiva Lingam also hold some meaning such as
- Milk: It symbolizes purity and nourishment.
- Honey: It symbolizes sweetness and grace.
- Water: It symbolizes the purification of the soul.
- Fruits and Sweets: It symbolizes respect and devotion towards Lord Shiva.
- Bel Leaves: It is a sacred offering offered to Lord Shiva. It symbolizes the three eyes of Shiva because of their shape and is believed to calm one’s mind and soul.
Conclusion
Maha Shivratri is not just a festival; it is a unique opportunity to connect with the divine and for spiritual growth. On this sacred night, devotees can be seen fasting, meditating, or completely immersing themselves in the sacred atmosphere of the festival.
This festival is believed to provide people a chance to detach themselves from unnecessary materialistic things, celebrate true love, purify the mind, experience inner peace, and seek blessings from Lord Shiva.
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