A brief introduction to the significance of the Hindu festival
Mahashivaratri, or the great night of Lord Shiva, is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism. It is celebrated on the 14th night of the dark fortnight of the lunar month of Phalguna, which usually falls in February or March. On this night, devotees of Shiva observe a fast, perform rituals, chant mantras, and stay awake all night in reverence of the supreme deity. There are many reasons why Mahashivaratri is considered auspicious, and some of them are explained below.
The legend of Mahasivaratri
There are several myths and stories associated with Mahashivaratri, but one of the most popular ones is the legend of the churning of the ocean of milk. According to this legend, the gods and the demons were engaged in a cosmic battle for supremacy, and they decided to churn the ocean of milk to obtain the nectar of immortality. However, as they churned the ocean, a deadly poison emerged, which threatened to destroy the world. However, he held the poison in his throat, which turned blue, earning him the name Neelakantha, or the blue-throated one. He blessed them with the boon of Mahashivaratri, a night when his power and grace are abundant, and anyone who worships him sincerely can attain his blessings and liberation.
The significance of Mahashivaratri
Mahashivaratri is a night of spiritual awakening, as it marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti, the masculine and feminine energies of the universe. It is also a night of overcoming ignorance, darkness, and evil, as Shiva represents the supreme consciousness, light, and goodness. Mahashivaratri is a night of transformation, as Shiva is the lord of destruction and regeneration, who can dissolve the old and create the new. Mahashivaratri is a night of liberation, as Shiva is the master of yoga and meditation, who can grant the ultimate freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
The rituals of Mahashivaratri
The main rituals of Mahashivaratri involve fasting, bathing, offering, and vigil. The devotees fast from sunrise to sunrise, abstaining from food and water, as a symbol of their detachment from the worldly pleasures and their devotion to Shiva. They bathe in the holy rivers or take a ritual bath at home, purifying themselves and wearing clean clothes. They offer various items to Shiva, such as milk, water, honey, curd, ghee, sugar, flowers, fruits, bilva leaves, sandalwood paste, incense, lamps, and so on, as a symbol of their gratitude and reverence. They also chant the sacred mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”, which means “I bow to Shiva”, invoking his name and presence. They stay awake all night, singing, dancing, listening to stories, and meditating, as a symbol of their vigilance and awareness. They believe that by performing these rituals, they can please Shiva and receive his grace and protection.
