Maha Shivaratri is one of the biggest religious festivals of India. Celebrated with absolute enthusiasm and fervour, the ‘Shiva’ bhakts gather together on the ‘Night of Shiva.’
Every year the Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight, particularly of the Magha month according to the Hindu calendar. Basically, the Shivaratri comes in the month of Falgun, which is the last month of the Hindu calendar. It usually takes place in the end month of February or in the beginning of the March month.
The devotees will gather again on February 21st, 2020 to mark the spiritual day along with the continuous chanting Om Namah Shivay. This festival is celebrated across India along with Nepal and Mauritius.
What is Maha Shivratri?
Maha Shivaratri is the night when the Lord Shiva performed Tandava Nritya or simply the dance of creation, preservation and destruction. According to the Shiva Bhakts, the primordial dance of the Shiva saved the world from ultimate destruction. Adding on to it, some of the believers, specifically Hindu Scholars believe that Lord Shiva drank poisonous negativity to save the world.
Why Maha Shivaratri Celebrated by Hindus?
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated to remember the overcoming of darkness and ignorance in life. Furthermore, Maha Shivaratri is also the same night when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati married again. On this day, the a special pooja is conducted in all the temples in which Bael leaves are offered to Lord Shiva in conjunction with the all-day fasting and repeating the sacred Shiva mantra. The reason behind Bel tree leaves offerings to the Lord Shiva on the night of Maha Shivaratri is that he was always fond of it and even, worshipping him is incomplete with Bel tree leaves.
Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Lingam, a distinguishing symbol or sign is a pillar which is placed on the receptacle that clearly portrays the female energy. Basically, the union of organs and entirety of creation is what defines the Lingam. And that’s the major reason Lord Shiva is regarded as one of the most powerful gods in the Hinduism.
Maha Shivaratri is one of the special occasions for the women, specifically unmarried women to pray and ask for an ideal husband and married women pray for the well-being of their husbands.
Now, here is the Subh Muhurat to celebrate the festival of Lord Shiva on February 21st, 2020.
- Nishita Kaal Puja Time – 24:08 to 25:00
- Maha Shivaratri Parana Time- 06:57 to 15:23 (22nd February)
- Chaturdashi Tithi Begins – 17:20 (21st February)
- Chaturdashi Tithi Ends – 19:02 (22nd February)
Spiritual Significance of Maha Shivaratri Celebration
Heard about the stories of Samudra Manthan? Well, yes Maha Shivaratri has a spiritual significance. When the great Samudra Manthan conducted between the gods and demons to obtain the nectar of becoming immortal, the poison appeared first. It was believed that poison was so potent that nobody was even willing to touch the pot as it has the power to destruct the whole world.
After that, on a mutual consent it was decided to take help from Lod Shiv and Shiva quickly agreed to consume the poison. Once the poison was consumed by the Lord Shiva, then he carefully held it in his throat to protect the world from annihilation. As the deadly poison was consumed by the Shiva, he came to be known as Neelkanth. Finally, this day of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated as of gratitude to Lord Shiva for protecting the mankind from the annihilating poison.
According to the Shiva Purana, the right way to celebrate the Maha Shivratri festival is with these six steps:
- Taking bath into the Ganga river for the soul, mind and body purification.
- Bathing Shiv Linga into the holy water of Ganga along with milk and honey.
- Three bel tree leaves are then offered to the Lord Shiva.
- Once the bathing of Shiv Linga is done, then apply vermilion on it.
- Offer fruits and flowers for a long life and satisfaction of desires.
- Finally, light up a Diya and pray for the good health, wealth and satisfaction in life from all pleasures and desires in life.
So, are you ready to celebrate the festival of Lord Shiva in 2020 with positive energy and enthusiasm?
