Maha Shivratri

There is a great significance of Maha Shivratri among Hindus. It is celebrated on the fourteenth day of every lunar cycle. Mahashivratri, which takes place in February and March, is considered the most important. A natural increase of energy occurs in a human being on this particular night since the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere is in such a favourable position. When nature is driving you towards your spiritual peak, you are on your way to achieving it. Our tradition has developed a specific celebration throughout a single night to take advantage of this opportunity. It is essential to stay awake and with your spine upright throughout the night to enable this natural upsurge of spirits to find their path. 

History of Maha Shivratri

The Puranas offer a plethora of traditions and legends relating to the history of Maha Shivratri. The reasons why Maha Shivratri is celebrated are as mentioned below:

• Shiva devotees mark this day because one of the traditions indicates that Mahadev and Devi Parvati got married on this day. Thus, Maha Shivratri is a celebration of Shiva and Shakti’s mutualistic relationship. 

• A pot of poison appeared from the ocean at the Samudra Manthan. The Gods and demons were afraid since the poison had the potential to wipe out the whole planet, and they fled to Shiva for assistance. Shiva drank the lethal poison to preserve the world from its terrible consequences, but he didn’t drink it. He was given the name Neelakantha since his neck became blue due to this. On the day of Shivaratri, devotees commemorate when Shiva intervened to rescue the world.

• The practice of all-night devotion may have originated for another reason as well. The deity Shiva, who wears a crescent moon as an ornament in his hair, was worshipped even though it was a moonless evening.

• Tandav is a sacred dance that Lord Shiva performs on the midnight of Shivaratri, according to another myth. There are three aspects of life on Earth represented by this dance: genesis, conservation, and demise. Shiva performed his Tandav while reciting hymns and appearing as a flame. 

How is Maha Shivratri celebrated?

Mahashivaratri is a major Hindu festival dedicated to the adoration and celebration of Lord Shiva’s majesty. Maha Shivaratri is the most important night of the year for devotees of Lord Shiva to celebrate and honour him. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Mahashivaratri occurs on the 13th or 14th day of the month of Phalguna in the late winter.

On Maha Shivratri, after concluding the morning rituals, worshippers take Sankalp, promising to follow a full day of fasting and eat on the next day of Shivratri. They pray for Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati’s blessings to complete their fast without difficulties. A second bath must also be taken in the evening before doing Shiva Puja or going to the Shiva temple, according to the rules of the religion. The preparations for Shivratri and fasting begin a day before when devotees psychologically ready themselves by consuming satvik bhojan and leading a stress-free life, among other things. They remain up throughout the night, simply eating the Prasad offered to Lord Shiva by the sages. It is also marked by commemorating Shiva, reciting mantras, and engaging in Meditation and yoga practices.

Significance of Maha Shivratri

The significance of Maha Shivratri is as mentioned below:

• Mahashivratri is a celebration of marital affection, desire, and connection. There are two kinds of the same energy: Shiva and Shakti, and only when they work together can they be called complete or strong. It signifies that marriage is a union of two people committed to each other and who will stand together through the ups and downs of life together. When one team member fails, the other should always be there to step in and remedy it.

• A person’s sins will be released and vanquished by praying to Lord Shiva in the middle of the night, allowing them to begin travelling along the road of holiness. 

• The notion that fasting during this period would bring better luck to them more quickly is another important significance of this festival.

• Mahashivratri is a time to reflect on the timeless reality of Shivoham, which translates as ‘I am that concept.’ My name is Shiva. ‘I am truth, goodness, eternal, and glory,’ I declare.

•  It is regarded as a good day for personal enlightenment, monetary success, and advancement.

Conclusion 

Maha Shivratri is the most significant event for many Lord Shiva worshippers in Hindu mythology. This article briefly explains the fact why Maha Shivratri is celebrated.  A devotee who offers true devotion to Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri would be forgiven of their sins and achieve moksha. A group of people link their hands and form a single line, worshipping the deity Shiva with one voice. Mahadev is the supreme ruler of all the devs in Heaven and is the most powerful. The things he does are per their wishes, and he leads the world. Being somewhat enraged by nature, Mahadev responds to the desires of his worshipers far more quickly than other deities.