Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri:-

Mahashivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in the honour of Lord Shiva. This year Mahashivaratri occured on 11th march. Devotees line up in Lord Shiva's temple for hours to pray and worship through the offerings like fruits, sweet, bel patra, etc. Devotees also do Maha Abhishekam with milk on Shivalinga and observe fasting. Often, females observe fasting as it is believed that they'll have happy married life ahead, unmarried girls observe fast to get good, gentle and sincere husband.

It is a major festival in Hinduism, and this festival is solemn and marks a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Bhagwan Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness and the discovery of Bhagwan Shiva. According to South Indian calendar, Maha Shivratri is observed on Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha, and in other parts of India on 13th/14th night of Krishna Paksha in Phalguna of Hindu calendar.

Importance of Mahashivaratri:-

Mahashivaratri is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. It is also significant for those who has family conditions and also for those who is ambitious in the world. People see Mahashivaratri as the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva. It is also believed that Lord Shiva conquered all his enemies on this day. But for ascetics, it is the day when Lord Shiva became like Mount Kailash. He became still example like a mountain. In the yogic tradition, Lord Shiva is not worshipped as a God, but considered as an Adi Guru, the first guru who originated the concept of Yoga. After meditation for several years, Lord Shiva became still as a mountain. He became utterly still. So, ascetics see Mahashivaratri as the night of stillness.

Shivratri- The darkest night of month:-

Shivratri is the darkest day of the month. Celebrating Shivratri, almost seems like celebration of darkness. Any logical mind would resist darkness and naturally opt for light. But the word "Shiva" literally means "that which is not". "That which is", is existence and creation. "That which is not" means, if you open your eyes and look around, if your vision is for small things, you will see lots of creation. If your vision is really looking for big things, you will see the biggest presence in the existence is a vast emptiness. Generally, when people are seeking well-being, when they are looking beyond their life, in terms of dissolving, if the object of their worship and their Sadhana is dissolution, then we always refer to the divine as darkness.

In Indian culture, all the ancient prayers were not about saving and protecting yourself. All the ancient prayers go like "oh lord, destroy me so that i can became like yourself". So, when we talk about Shivratri, the darkest night of the month, it signifies as an opportunity to dissolve ourselves, to experience the unboundedness of the source of creation which is the seed of every human being.

Mahashivaratri- a night of awakening:-

Mahashivaratri is an opportunity and a possibility to bring yourself to that experience of the vast emptiness within every human being, which is the source of all creation. On the one hand, Shiva is known as the destroyer. On the other, he is known as the compassionate. He is also known to be the greatest of the givers. The yogic lore is rife with many stories about Shiva's compassion. The ways of expression of his compassion have been incredible and astonishing at the same time. So, Mahashivaratri id a special night for receiving too. It is our wish and blessing that you must not pass this night without knowing atleast a moment of the vastness of this emptiness that we call as Shiva. Let this night not just be a night of wakefulness, let this night be a night of awakening for you.