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You are here : home > Indian Culture > Indian Festivals and occassions > Mahashivratri: The Great Night of Lord Shiva

Mahashivratri: The Great Night of Lord Shiva

Mahashivratri: The Great Night of Lord Shiva

Mahashivratri is an important festival for Hindus, especially for Hindu women. Read on to find out more about the significance of Mahashivratri and rituals followed by Hindus on the occasion of Mahashivratri.

Hinduism is known for various festivals and each festival has a marked significance. Mahashivratri is observed in the month of Phalgun of Hindu calendar and it falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight. Read on to learn why is Mahashivratri celebrated and how.

Mahashivratri falls on a moonless February night and Hindus offer prayers to the Lord of Destruction, Shiva that day. The festival is observed for one day and one night. Usually devotees keep fast during the day and chant “Om Namah Shivaya” for the whole day and wake up throughout the night to show their love and respect to Lord Shiva.

Why is Mahashivratri Celebrated?

Here are the legends behind celebration of Mahashivratri.

The Day of Apperence as “Lingodbhav Moorti”

It is believed that the absolute formless God appeared in the form of “Lingodbhav Moorti” at midnight during Mahashivratri. This is the reason why devotees wake up throughout the night singing praises to Lord Shiva and perform abhishek at midnight in the vigil.

Marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati

Lord Shiva was married to Goddess Parvati on Mahashivratri. So, many people perform the marriage of God and Goddess during night and enjoy with the feeling of participating in the divine marriage.

The Day When Lord Shiva Swallowed Poison

It is believed that it was only on Mahashivratri that Lord Shiva swallowed the deadly poison that came out along with the amrit manthan and became “Neelkantha”. The poison is said to be highly strong and capable of annihilating the entire world. So, Lord Shiva held it in his neck and saved all.

All the legends show that this day is an important day of Lord Shiva and also shows the greatness of the Lord. The supremacy of Lord Shiva over other Gods is also felt after listening to the above legends.

Mahashivratri – A Festival Significant for Hindu Women

Mahashivratri is considered very auspicious for women in India. The married ones pray for long life and health of their husbands and sons while unmarried women pray so that they get married to loving and ideal husband like Shiva. It is believed that those who keep the fast and perform the rituals on Mahashivratri with pure devotion get freed of all sins of their lives.

The Rituals of Mahashivratri

On Mahashivratri, men and women keep fast and worship Lord Shiva offering flowers and Bilvapatra or Bel leaves. Right from the morning you will find flocks of devotees, including men, women and children, in Shiva temples. They wear clean clothes after taking bath and carry pots of water along with flowers and Bilvapatra to the temple. The Bilvapatra is offered from bottom to the top which means one is worshipping the God from feet and this is said to help derive more benefit. The worship in the right way is said to emit wakes of knowledge, devotion and renunciation. By offering a mixture of milk and water to the Shiva Linga one attains divine consciousness, eternal peace, bliss and divine energy.

The devotees maintain long vigil at night, stay awake and listen to the stories of Lord Shiva all through the night and recite hymns and songs as well. After the whole night of worship, they break the fast in the next morning. The festival is celebrated for 15 days in Kashmir and fast followed by the family feast is done on the 13th day.

In many places there is Mahashivratri Mela or fair organised where you will get everything related to Lord Shiva and other articles of fashion and style as well. Books that contain stories of Lord Shiva and hymns are sold that day. The articles that the Lord holds in his hands are also sold which are of great interest for small children. The Mahashivratri fair in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh is very popular.

Why are Bel leaves or Bilvapatra offered to Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri? Which rituals are followed by Hindus on Mahashivratri? Why do people fast on Mahashivratri? Discuss here.



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Kusumita
Kusumita.10 years ago
I want to visit Shiva temple in Mumbai. I am new in Mumbai...which temple should i visit? and how to reach there?
 
 
 
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Reema
Reema.10 years ago
What are the benefits of fasting on the day of Mahashivratri?
 
 
 
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Sandeep
Sandeep.10 years ago
Every year I observe fast on the day of Mahashivratri. Full day I am only on milk and fruits., I have proper meals the next day.
 
 
 
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