Maha Shivaratri 2011
"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 2nd March, 2011 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 Celebration
on Maha Shivaratri
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.
Lord Shiva the Master of the Chaturdashi
The Lord Shiva is the Master of
the Chaturdashi as same as the Lord of the Fire is the Master of the all the
Tithies (Dates) like Pratipada etc. So, one can be benefited by worshiping the
God on their own days. The master of the day of Chaturdashi is Lord Shiva or
Chaturdashi is the day of Lord Shiva. So, on this night worshiping Lord Shiva is
called
Shiva + Raatri (night) = Shivaratri. The day of
Chaturdashi of every month's Krishan Paksha is celebrated as 'Shivaratri' and it
is called as the Shivaratri of the Month. The devotees of the Lord Shiva are
observing the fast on every month's Shivaratri. However, at the night of the
Chaturdashi of the Phalgun month's Krishan Paksha is called Maha Shivaratri,
according to the Eshaan Sanhita:Shivalingtyoddootah
KotisooryasamaprabhahIt means, this day is important
because of the evolution of the 'Jyotirlingha' and that is why it is called as
'Maha Shivaratri'. All the people, whether they are Brahmana,
Kshatriya, Vaisya, Shoodra, Men, Women, Old or Young can observe this fast. This
fast should be done by everyone because in case of not observing this fast it
equals to committing the sin.
Krishna Paksha
The reason that Maha Shivaratri falls in the Krishna
Paksha is also having the meaning. In Shukla Paksha, Moon is full and in
Krishana Paksha it becomes feeble. As Moon becomes emaciated, all the creatures
of the earth becomes emaciated as well. In the absence of the Sun and with the
less power of the light of the moon, the powers of the darkness becomes more
powerful. The Lord Shiva is considered as the controller of these powers.
In the presence of the Sun, these powers of the night are unable to work
properly so they becomes more active at night. So, as the bridge is prepared
before the rainy season when water comes, Lord Shiva has been worshiped before
the no moon night.
Read more on Fasting on
Maha Shivaratri 2011Offer Prayer to Lord Shiva
Aarti of Lord Shiva
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