Maha Shivratri or the ‘Great Night of Lord Shiva’ is one of the most significant festivals for Hindus across the world. On Shivratri, devotees of Lord Shiva seek his blessings. People observe stringent fast and often stay up all night singing bhajans dedicated to Shiva and chanting prayers. On Shivratri, devotees take a holy dip in the Ganga or any river in the vicinity and Shiva temples across the country see thousands of devotees with milk, fruits and other offerings for Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is known by several names. Some of them are Mahadeva, Pashupati, Bhairava, Vishwanath, Bhole Nath, Shambhu and Shankar.

This year, Mahashivratri would be celebrated on 11th March 2021.

Shivratri is one of the oldest festivals of India. There are several legends associated with Shivratri. Some say that it is one this night Shiva performed the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction, while some beliefs suggest that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this auspicious occasion. Shivratri focuses on the power of meditation and spirituality. Many people also fast on this day to show their spirit of devotion and focus. While some consume only fruits and milk, there are people who observe a ‘nirjala’ fast- where they do not even consume a drop of water until they open their fast. Even those who are not fasting, try to eat light vegetarian, or Sattvik food. Major Shiva temples of Jyotirlingam like Somnath and Kashi witnesses a wide gamut of devotees who come from across the world to worship the deity. These temples are also decorated with lights and diyas, and are a sight to behold in the evening.

Regarded as the darkest night of the year, Maha Shivaratri is one of the sacred celebration nights of India. Lord Shiva, the lord of everything and nothingness is celebrated throughout the night with folklore, ecstatic dance, and joyful music. Owing to a peculiar planetary arrangement during this time, the Universe emits a form of energy that brings goodness to the human system when the spine is kept erect. The upward surge of energy will help a human being connect in aesthetic and beautiful ways with the cosmos. People can improve their physical and spiritual awakening on the day of Maha Shivaratri.

Out of the 12 Shivaratri that occur on 14th of every Hindu month, the Shivaratri of Magha or Maasi Month (February and March) is the Maha Shivaratri, the most powerful one. A way to open up immense spiritual possibilities and expand human potential.

What do people do during

Maha Shivaratri?

Deemed as one of the biggest festivals of Hindu culture, Maha Shivaratri is an auspicious day to celebrate the divine by fasting, offering prasad, performing yoga, doing meditation, and empowering each other through various acts of kindness and love. Unmarried Hindu girls pray Lord Shiva to get a good husband like him as he is considered as an ideal life partner. Ardent devotees offer milk, water, akwan flowers, bhaang, and dhatura to Lord Shiva’s idol and worship the Hindu God of Destruction as mentioned in most of the Hindu texts.

Mythological Anecdotes of Lord Shiva

There is a legend stating that Lord Shiva had pacified the fight between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu during this day. As Lord Brahma flew to the top of the sky in search of the end, he had come across a Ketaki flower and decided to cheat Lord Shiva. After knowing the intentions of Lord Brahma, angered Lord Shiva ended the dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. That is why Brahma temples are not seen in any part of India other than Pushkar. While some people believe, to celebrate Lord Shiva’s pacifying act, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated.

This day is considered as the wedding day between Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva. Together, they are known as Arthanatheeswarar.

Another mythological anecdote is that Lord Shiva saved the world from annihilation. He devoured the poison of milky ocean and it made him turn blue, earning him the name “Neelakandan”.

How to celebrate Maha Shivaratri?

You can fast the whole day and start listening to devotional numbers from evening till the next day morning. You can join celebrations in temples nearby or go to places like Isha Yoga and spend the whole night in total joy. Take a dip in the water body nearby and adorn yourself with clean attires and visit temples to do Shivalinga Puja.

Maha Shivaratri is a night of stillness to remember the sacrifices of our loved ones and pray for their good health with absolute consciousness. A day to lose our identity and connect with the Universe as Lord Shiva became still and became Mount Kailash himself. Since modern science has come to a point that explains everything, cosmos, galaxies, matter, and existence are all manifestations of one energy in a zillion ways. As Lord Shiva is regarded as the first Yogi in the Universe, a festival like Maha Shivaratri answers everything a human desires to find in his life. Maha Shivaratri is a night to experience the oneness of life and open the constrained doors off ignorance.