About Maha Shivratri Festival
Maha Shivratri Festival is Hindus holy festival.It comes According to gujarati hindu calander month of Maagh(February-March) 13th night/14th day of krushna paksha.The Mahashivratri festival, also much popular as 'Shivratri' or 'Great Night of Lord Shiva'.This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva and it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati.Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva. It is celebrated across India and is a holiday in the most of states of India.The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael leaves to Lord Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-long vigil.Shiva is worshiped in the form of a lingam - a pillar often placed on a receptacle that represents female creative energy. Together it represents the union of organs, and the totality of creation.Flowers, incense and other offerings are made, while all through the day the devotees, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord "Om Namah Shivaya". All india's 12 Jyotilinga temple a grand celebration Maha Shivratri Festival.On this Day shiv Temple Decorate and many people goes there.During this festival some temple arrange a Fair.In Gujarat Junagadh Girnar Taleti Bhavnath Temple arrange Big Shivratri night Fair.Many people and Sadhus visit this fair.Mahashivratri is not only one of the magnificent festivals in India but also in Nepal and other regions where Lord Shiva is worshipped.
Once when everything in all the worlds got reduced into Lord shiva, in that darkness of nothing present, the mother pArvati worshipped Lord shiva in the Agamic way with great devotion. The parameshwar pleased by Her prayer blessed Her. She asked for the benefit of all the creatures that in future whoever worships the Lord on the shiva rAtri day with devotion, they should be blessed and should be given the ultimate liberation. The pashupati granted that showing way for all of us to get blessed easily.
When Brahma and Vishnu fought between themselves as "who is the greatest", Lord Shiva appeared before them as a pillar of fire. They were not able to find the starting and end of that pillar. This day is Thirukkaarthikai.Then Brahma and Mahavishnu repented for their mistake and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiving their sin worshiping the shiva li.ngam which is the form of the flame. In the night of Shiva rathri Lord Shiva appeared before them and blessed them. Devotees pray the God throughout the night of Shiva rathri by performing Abisheka, chanting and other holy deeds.
Every month in Krishna paksha chathurdhasi (fourteenth moonday) is called masa Shiva rathri. The one that comes in the month of "Masi" (mid February to mid March) is called Maha Shiva rathri. This is considered as the most important vrata by the devotees.
There are many incidents told about the greatness of this day. Once a hunter in a jungle after searching throughout the jungle, was quite tired and could not get any animal. In the nightfall a tiger started chasing him. to escape from that he climbed a tree. That was a Bilva tree. The tiger sat under the tree waiting for him to come down. The hunter who sat on a branch of the tree was quite tense and didn't want to sleep. He was plucking the leaves and putting down as he was not able to be idle. Below the tree there was a Shiva lingam. The whole night went on like this. God was pleased with the Upavasa (hunger) and the Pooja the hunter and the tiger did even without knowledge. He is the peak of the grace. He gave the hunter and the tiger "Moksha".In a Shiva temple on a Maha Shiva rathri day the lamp kept in the altar was very dim. That time a mouse which came take its prey touched the flame. Due to the heat it moved its head immediately. In the process it kindled the lamp and the altar was illuminated well. Lord Shiva, pleased by this deed made the mouse Mahabali, the renowned asura king.
There are many incidents like this told in our Puraanas. If we do the vrata with pure devotion and love there can be no doubt about getting the Grace of the Almighty.
Significance of Maha Shivratri
Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most. This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when his consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.Even till date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion. They observe day and nigh fast and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc. Hindus consider it extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri as it is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins. The devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shanker and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation.
Maha Shivratri Pictures
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Maha Shivratri Festival is Hindus holy festival.It comes According to gujarati hindu calander month of Maagh(February-March) 13th night/14th day of krushna paksha.The Mahashivratri festival, also much popular as 'Shivratri' or 'Great Night of Lord Shiva'.This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva and it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati.Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva. It is celebrated across India and is a holiday in the most of states of India.The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael leaves to Lord Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-long vigil.Shiva is worshiped in the form of a lingam - a pillar often placed on a receptacle that represents female creative energy. Together it represents the union of organs, and the totality of creation.Flowers, incense and other offerings are made, while all through the day the devotees, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord "Om Namah Shivaya". All india's 12 Jyotilinga temple a grand celebration Maha Shivratri Festival.On this Day shiv Temple Decorate and many people goes there.During this festival some temple arrange a Fair.In Gujarat Junagadh Girnar Taleti Bhavnath Temple arrange Big Shivratri night Fair.Many people and Sadhus visit this fair.Mahashivratri is not only one of the magnificent festivals in India but also in Nepal and other regions where Lord Shiva is worshipped.
History of Maha Shivratri
Once when everything in all the worlds got reduced into Lord shiva, in that darkness of nothing present, the mother pArvati worshipped Lord shiva in the Agamic way with great devotion. The parameshwar pleased by Her prayer blessed Her. She asked for the benefit of all the creatures that in future whoever worships the Lord on the shiva rAtri day with devotion, they should be blessed and should be given the ultimate liberation. The pashupati granted that showing way for all of us to get blessed easily.
When Brahma and Vishnu fought between themselves as "who is the greatest", Lord Shiva appeared before them as a pillar of fire. They were not able to find the starting and end of that pillar. This day is Thirukkaarthikai.Then Brahma and Mahavishnu repented for their mistake and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiving their sin worshiping the shiva li.ngam which is the form of the flame. In the night of Shiva rathri Lord Shiva appeared before them and blessed them. Devotees pray the God throughout the night of Shiva rathri by performing Abisheka, chanting and other holy deeds.
Every month in Krishna paksha chathurdhasi (fourteenth moonday) is called masa Shiva rathri. The one that comes in the month of "Masi" (mid February to mid March) is called Maha Shiva rathri. This is considered as the most important vrata by the devotees.
There are many incidents told about the greatness of this day. Once a hunter in a jungle after searching throughout the jungle, was quite tired and could not get any animal. In the nightfall a tiger started chasing him. to escape from that he climbed a tree. That was a Bilva tree. The tiger sat under the tree waiting for him to come down. The hunter who sat on a branch of the tree was quite tense and didn't want to sleep. He was plucking the leaves and putting down as he was not able to be idle. Below the tree there was a Shiva lingam. The whole night went on like this. God was pleased with the Upavasa (hunger) and the Pooja the hunter and the tiger did even without knowledge. He is the peak of the grace. He gave the hunter and the tiger "Moksha".In a Shiva temple on a Maha Shiva rathri day the lamp kept in the altar was very dim. That time a mouse which came take its prey touched the flame. Due to the heat it moved its head immediately. In the process it kindled the lamp and the altar was illuminated well. Lord Shiva, pleased by this deed made the mouse Mahabali, the renowned asura king.
There are many incidents like this told in our Puraanas. If we do the vrata with pure devotion and love there can be no doubt about getting the Grace of the Almighty.
Maha Shivratri(Shiv) Pooja Process
- On Shivratri get up early, take bath and wear clean clothes.
- Holy bath on Shivaratri purifies body and soul. So, take bath in Ganga or nearby river. If this is not possible you can add some black sesame seeds into water and take bath
- Take vow to observe full day fast and to break it on the next day.
- Now perform Maha Shivaratri puja. Worship Lord Shiva and Parvati.maha shivaratri puja
- The main ritual of Shiva puja is performing Abhishek of Shiva Lingam.
- It can be performed using milk, rose water, sandalwood paste, yogurt, honey, Ghee, sugar and water.
- These six items form an essential part of Maha Shivaratri Puja. You must perform this simple puja ritual at home or in temple to please Lord Shiva.
- For those who perform four Prahar Puja, use water during first Prahar Abhishek, curd during second Prahar, Ghee during third and honey during fourth Prahar Abhishek.
- Offer flower, Bilva leaves, dhatura, sandalwood paste and vibhuti to Shiv lingam.
- You can also offer Ber or jujube fruit, betel leaves, incense sticks.
- Light lamp and Dhupa. Keep chanting Om Namah Shivaya.
- Finally perform Shiva Aarti and read 108 names of Shiva.
- Visit a nearby Shiva temple and seek blessings.
- Maha Shivaratri Puja should be done during night also. Know the best Muhurat for Mahashivratri Puja 2014. Click here!
- Stay awake at night and spent the time chanting Shiva prayers.
- Next day morning break your fast after taking bath.
Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most. This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when his consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.Even till date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion. They observe day and nigh fast and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc. Hindus consider it extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri as it is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins. The devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shanker and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation.
Maha Shivratri Pictures
