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| Lord Shiva |
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| The Hindu Trinity Lord ; Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva |
Significance of Shivaratri
Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivaratri festival that falls on the dark fortnight (Ammavasai) in the month of Maasi (according Tamil month Calendar) pleases Lord Shiva the most.
People often fast on the night of Shivaratri and sing hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva. Hindu temples across the world are decorated with lights and colorful decorations and people can be seen offering night long prayers to Shiva Lingam. Vilvam leaves, sugarcane juice, cold water, honey and milk are offered to the Shiva Lingam on this day as they are believed to be Lord Shiva's favorite.
It is believed that the people who fast on this night and offer prayers to Lord Shiva bring good luck into their life.
Shivaratri is considered auspicious especially for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Parvati.
But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva during Shivaratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He or she reaches the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
Legends of Maha Shivarathri
There are many mythological legends associated with this day. According to a popular legend, when a hunter was chased by a tiger and could not find any way to escape from the lion in a forest. He waited on the branch of a Vilvam tree till the lion walk away.
Unfortunately the lion waited for him to get down. In order to stay awake he started throwing the leaves of the tree on the ground, unaware that there was a Shiva Lingam beneath the tree. At the same time the hunter was having a container filled with honey which also poured without his knowledge. With this Lord Shiva pleased with the Vilvam leaves with honey and the patience of the hunter, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in front of the hunter and blessed him with wisdom. From that day onwards, the hunter stopped eating meat and became Shiva's devotees.
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| Hunter who stayed all night long and been blessed by Lord Shiva |
Another legend has it that after the Earth was faced with an imminent destruction, Goddess Parvati pledged with Lord Shiva to save the world. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Shiva agreed to save the world and the people of the Earth would have to worship him with dedication and passion. From that day onwards, the night came to be known as Maha Shivaratri and people began worshipping Shiva with a great enthusiasm. Women who pray to Lord Shiva for the husband well being will be blessed by Him as he was pleased with Goddess Parvathi.
According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world. They ran to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva, in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then this came to be known for Shivaratri where it is celebrated as Lord Shiva saved the world from poisoning.
Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri
Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Lord Shiva. They strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, purifies a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. To mark the Shivaratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, after wearing fresh clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingam with milk, honey, water etc.
On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. At night of the celebration, every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of Shiva Lingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water amidst the chanting of 'Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells. Night long vigil is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spend the night singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. Devotees chants and sing the popular Lord Shiva's Thiruvasagam - Sivapuranam and The Shiva Mantram of Om Nama Shivaya. It is only on the following morning that devotee break their fast by taking prasad offered to the deity. The devotees who observe the right ritual and fast, Lord Shiva will bless them.
With LOVE,
Kanushavik <3
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