Maha Shivaratri, the principal festival of Hindus that is not only celebrated in India but also in Nepal. Maha Shivaratri 2021 is befalling on 11 March Thursday. The festival of Maha Shivaratri has a huge significance in Hinduism. Of the 12 Shivaratri celebrated in a year, Mahashivaratri has the utmost importance. It’s believed to be the day the universe commenced, with the supernatural form of Mahadeva.
In this post, we will know why is Maha Shivratri celebrated? But before that let us know some important facts about Mahashivratri. Let us know who are shiva and shakti, and what is the difference between Shivaratri and Mahashivarti?
In This Article
According to Hinduism, Shiva and Shakti are the parents of this whole Universe. They’re referred to as the cosmic force of consciousness and energy. Lord Shiva is the third god in the Hindu trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Brahma is the creator of the universe, Vishnu the preserver of the universe, and Shiva is the destroyer of the universe.
Shiva is the Adiyogi means the first yogi i.e. the pathfinder of yoga. In Hinduism Lord Shiva is worshipped in the Shiv ling form. The Shivling, Shiva Linga, or Lingam is a symbol that represents Lord Shiva.
Shakti is also known as Adi Shakti. Adi Shakti is the universal cosmic energy that drives the entire universe. Some incarnations of Adi Shakti are Mahalakshmi, Durga, Sati, Kali, Kamakshi, Parvati, etc. Parvati was Lord Shiva’s wife.
According to the Hindu calendar, there are twelve Shivratris in a year. Shivaratri falls on the Krishna Chaturdashi of every Hindu month, which is the last day of the month.
According to the Hindu scriptures, for the purification and liberation of the soul, the spiritual practice performed during the night is more fruitful. Thus, devotees celebrate Shivratri by observing fast, do kirtan, and night-vigil. Lord Shiva is worshiped on Shivaratri. On this day, devotees fast throughout the day, do Rudra anointing of Shivaling, and chant the Panchakshari mantra ( Namah Shivaya).
According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva destroys all the sufferings and sins of devotees. Only Lord Shiva gives relief from worldly sufferings. For this reason, Lord Shiva is worshipped on the last day of every Hindu month with the hope that he will absolve all our sins committed inadvertently and to receive the grace of Lord Shiva for the upcoming month.
According to Hindu theology, Maha Shivratri means the biggest Shivratri, the greatest night of Lord Shiva. The night when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati and the night to worship and please Lord Shiva.
Each year Maha Shivratri falls once in a year on Chaturdashi (the 14th day in the Hindu calendar) of Magha month (the eleventh month in the Hindu calendar ) in Krishna Paksha. Maha Shivaratri 2021 will be celebrated on Thursday, 11 March.
All over India, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated every year on Krishna Chaturdashi of the Magha month with great enthusiasm. From its next day, the last (12th) month of the Hindu calendar Phalgun begins (Month of the Indian Civil Calendar).
There are many legends associated with the celebration of Mahashivratri. One of them is that the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati was accomplished on Maha Shivaratri. Besides, on this very auspicious day, the first Shivalinga manifested.
Maha Shivaratri is the most significant day as it marks the divine union of Adi Dev Lord Shiva and Adi Shakti Goddess Parvati. There’re many mythological stories associated with this festival. But according to the Hindu religious book the Shiva Mahapurana, Shivlinga – the aniconic form of Lord Shiva, was first worshiped by Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. It was this holy day when Lord shiva unveiled himself as a Jyotirlinga. With this event, this day became Maha Shivaratri.
Adiyogi Shiva
Maha Shivaratri arrives at the end of the Magha month and it’s celebrated as the biggest Shivratri of the year. Lord Shiva is Maha Deva means the greatest of all the gods, pervasive, uniform, formless, and soul of every being. Maha Shivaratri is the day devotees ask for forgiveness from God Shiva for inadvertently sins made throughout the year and pray for the growth and improvement of virtues for the coming year.
Namah Shivaya is the Panchakshari Mantra of Lord Shiva. Only by intoning this Panchakshari Mantra, Lord Shiva is pleased with the worship of his devotees. A person can meet complete accomplishments by chanting this mantra. It’s believed that any devotee who chants the Panchakshari mantra on Mahashivratri and performs Shiv Puja, his conscience is purified and he becomes closer to Lord Shiva. Devotees get relief from disease, sorrow, sufferings, poverty, and hostility and achieve ultimate bliss. Even though Lord Shiva’s form is destructive in the holocaust period, for his beloved devotees on Maha Shivaratri his form is the source of peace and desirable fruit.
Fasting on Mahashivaratri also has great importance, therefore, Shiva devotees observe fast, go to Shivalaya, and worship Shivling. Devotees offer bilva leaves on Shivling ( bel patra aka Indian bael), do Rudra anointing, and also night-vigil. On Mahashivaratri, Shiva Panchamrit Abhishekam is also done by resiting the Panchakshari Mantra Namah Shivaya. Similarly, the chanting of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra On this day is equally important and fruitful. As a result, Lord Shiva is pleased with the worship of his devotees and also grants them great relief from worldly sufferings, disease, and grief.
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