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Mahashivratri is a major festival of Indians. This is the main festival of Lord Shiva. Mahashivratri festival is celebrated on Magh Phagun Falgun Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi. It is believed that creation began from this day. According to mythology, creation began on this day with the rise of agnilinga (which is the giant form of Mahadev). On this day, Lord Shiva was married to Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati are worshiped on the day of Mahashivratri. The puja is performed while observing fast. Mahashivratri is considered the most important among the 12 Shivratri that occur in a year. The holy festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the world including India.
Mahashivratri history
There are many legends associated with the observance of Mahashivratri that range from sacred union of Shiva and Parvati to the tale of Lord Shiva consuming the Halahala poison, each adding depth to the significance of this auspicious observance. As per one legend, Mahashivratri is the night when Shiva performed the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction. It is believed that Lord Shiva consumed Halahala poison produced during Samudra Manthan to save the world. Since he held the poison in his neck, it turned blue and he came to be known as Neelkantha. However, the most popular legend remains the one that describes Lord Shiva’s union with Mata Parvati. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati, in her various incarnations, performed intense penance to win affection of Lord Shiva.
Significance of Mahashivratri
The significance of Mahashivratri is greater than what’s popularly known. Fasting during Mahashivratri helps overcome ignorance and atain self-realisation. By reflecting on its true nature, the soul attains salvation from the chakra of birth and death. Observing this fast with sincerity can help absolve past sins and negative karma and give one a new direction in life. Thus, Mahashivratri is an opportunity to introspect and renew one’s connection with the divine to evolve spiritually.
Celebration of Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is widely popular across the country and the chants of Om Namah Shivay reverberates throughout the night, creating an atmosphere charged with devotion, spirituality, and divine energy. From Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated with unique traditions and great dedication by Hindus. From melas, jagratas to day-long fast, devotees pray and connect with Lord Shiva in their own way. It is common for devotees to pray all night and participate in jagrans as it is believed this can help overcome darkness and ignorance. Lord Shiva is offered belpatra, dhatura, milk, fruits, sweets among other things as the devotees observe a day-long fast from sunrise to sunset. Mahashivratri finds mention in ancient texts like Skanda Purana, Linga Purana, and Padma Purana.
According to Shiva Purana, six items must be included in Mahashivratri puja:
- Anointment of Shiva Linga with water, milk and honey. plum or vine leaves that represent purification of the soul;
- Sindoor paste is applied to Shiva Linga after bathing. It represents virtue
- Fruits, which represent longevity and satisfaction of desires;
- Burning incense, wealth, produce (grains);
- The lamp which is conducive to the attainment of knowledge;
- And betel leaves which mark satisfaction with worldly pleasures.
Twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
Twelve Jyotirlingas (lingas of light) which are sacred shrines and centers of worship of Lord Shiva. They are known as Swayambhu, meaning “self arising”. Twelve Jyotirlingas are established at twelve places.
- Somnath: This Shivalinga is established in Kathiawar, Gujarat.
- Shri Shail Mallikarjuna Shri Shail Mallikarjuna Shivalinga is established on the mountain on the banks of Krishna river in Madras.
- . Mahakal: Mahakaleshwar Shivling established in Avanti Nagar of Ujjain, where Lord Shiva had destroyed the demons.
- Omkareshwar, a religious place in Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of Narmada, Lord Shiva, pleased with the harsh penance of mountain king Vindhya, appeared here to give a boon. Where Mamleshwar Jyotirlinga was established.
- Nageshwar Nageshwar Jyotirling established near Dwarkadham, Gujarat.
- Shivling established in Baidyanath Dham of Baijnath Jharkhand.
- Bhimashankar Bhimashankar Jyotirling established on the banks of Bhima river in Maharashtra.
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga established in Trimbakeshwar, 25 kilometers from Nashik (Maharashtra).
- Ghrishneshwar Ghrishneshwar Jyotirling established in Vesal village near Ellora Cave in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
- Inaccessible Kedarnath Jyotirlinga of Kedarnath Himalayas. It is situated at a distance of 150 miles from Haridwar.
- Kashi Vishwanath Vishwanath Jyotirlinga installed in the Kashi Vishwanath temple of Banaras.
- Rameshwaram Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga established by Lord Shri Ram on the beach of Trichnapalli (Madras).
Central india
There is a large number of Shiva followers in central India. Mahakaleshwar Temple, (Ujjain) is the most revered temple of Lord Shiva where every year a large congregation of Shiva devotees come for worship on the day of Maha Shivaratri. This festival is celebrated with great religious enthusiasm at the Math Temple of Jeonra, Seoni and at two other places called Tilwara Ghat of Jabalpur. There is a gathering of lakhs of people on this day in Bandakpur Dham of Damoh district also.
Kashmir
This is the most important festival for Kashmiri Brahmins. It is celebrated in every house as the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. It starts 3-4 days before the celebration of Mahashivratri and continues till two days after that.
South india
Mahashivratri is widely celebrated in temples all over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
Bangladesh
Hindus celebrate Mahashivratri in Bangladesh. They observe the fast in the hope of receiving the divine blessings of Lord Shiva. Many Bangladeshi Hindus visit Chandranath Dham (Chittagong) on this special day. Bangladeshi Hindus believe that a man/woman who fasts and worships on this day gets a good husband or wife. For this reason this festival is very famous here.
Nepal
Mahashivratri is widely celebrated in Nepal and especially in Pashupati Nath Temple. On the occasion of Mahashivratri, a crowd of devotees gather at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. On this occasion, yogis and devotees from different places of the world including India come to this temple.
Shiva, who is considered to be the originator of the Yoga tradition, is considered the Adi (first) Guru. According to tradition, the position of the planets on this night is such that a powerful natural wave of energy flows into the human system. It is considered to be physically and spiritually beneficial hence a night vigil is also advised in which artistes from different fields trained in various forms of classical music and dance perform throughout the night. Shivratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the happy life of their husbands and unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is considered as an ideal husband.
