Maha Shivaratri 2010
HE THE CREATOR
THE PRESERVER
THE DESTROYER
THE REPRODUCER OF LIFE
THE SHAKTI , THE POWER
HE IS SHIVA
And to thank HIM for protecting us from annihilation came ‘The Birth night of God' - Shivratri also called as Shiv Jayanti
Maha Shivratri is the longest and darkest night of the month. It is the night on which Shivji and Parvati tied the knot and became 'One'. Hence it is symbolic of the meeting of the Soul with the Almighty.
This Year
Maha Shivaratri will be celebrated
on 12 February 2010 through out the country.
It is also believed that on
Shivaratri, Lord Shiva became
Neelkantham by swallowing the deadly poison that came up from the ocean during the churning of "Kshir Sagar". The poison was so deadly that even a drop in His stomach, which represents the universe, would have annihilated the entire world. Hence, He held it in His neck, which turned blue due to the effect of poison.
Thus,
Shivaratri is the celebration of this
event by which Shiva saved the world.
The Festivity
Maha
Shivaratri begins with bhajans offered in praise
of Lord Shiv . During the chanting, everyone is free to do
puja at the shrine. Puja includes offering milk, water, fruit,
incense and flowers to Lord Shiv, circling the lingam, and
ringing the bell.
From the very early morning,
Shiva temples are filled with devotees, mostly women, who come to perform the traditional worship of the Shivalinga.
The day is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered the ideal husband.
Maha Shivaratri fast
One
of the most auspicious Vrita. It is considered to be equal
or more then performing an Ashwamedha Yagna. Taking bath
in the water mixed with Black til and observing fast, worshipping
Lord Shiva with the Bail Patras, kanera flowers, dhatura
and Milk, Listening Shiva's Katha and reciting Shiva Strotram,
all these things are considered to be very very auspicious
today.
People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees
do not even take a drop of water and they keep vigil all
night. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout
the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd,
honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra
"Om Namah Shivaya" continues.
Offerings of Bael leaves are made to the Lingam as Bael
leaves are considered very sacred and it is said that Goddess
Lakshmi resides in them.
Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the "Shiva Mahimna
Stotra" of Pushpadanta or Ravana's "Shiva Tandava Stotra"
are sung with great fervour and devotion. People repeat
the 'Panchakshara' Mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya". He, who
utters the names of Shiva during Shivratri, with
perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins.
He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He
is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims
dock to the places where there are Shiva temples.
Shiv Aarti
Jai Shiv onkara, Prabhu jai Shiv onkara
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv ardhangi dhara, Om Har Shiv onkara.
Ekanan, chaturanan, panchanan raje,
Hansasan GarudaSan Vrishvahan saje, Om Har Shiv onkara..
Do bhuj, charu chaturbhui dashmukh ati sohe Tinon rup nirakhte tribhuvan janmohe, Om Har Shiv onkara
Akshyamala banamala mundmal dhari Chandan mrigmad sohai, bhale shubhkari, Om Har Shiv onkara Shvetambar Pitambar Bagambar ange, Brahmadik Sankadik Pretadik sange, Om Har Shiv onkara
Kar madhye kamandalu au trishul bhari, Sukhkari dukhahari jagpalankari, Om Har Har Shiv onkara...
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv janat aviveka, Pranavakshar men shobhit ye tinon eka, Om Har Shiv onkara...
Trigun svami ki arti jo koi nar gave Kahat Shivanand svami man vanchhit phal pave, Om Har Shiv onkara....
Shiva being an ascetic god,
Maha Shivaratri
is very popular with ascetics. Thandai, a drink made with
cannabis, almonds, and milk, is essentially drunk by the devout.
This is so because cannabis is said to have been very dear
to Shiva.
Article by Malini GuptaWeb Content Writer and Researcher
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