Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated largely in India and Nepal in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as Padma Rajarathri. The festival is celebrated every year in the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha(waning moon) on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha month of the Hindu calendar.
According to the legend, this day is a very dear day to Lord Shiva because on this day Lord Shiva was married to Mother Parvati. Hence this day is celebrated as Mahashivratri. It is said that on this auspicious day, a person who observes a fast and worships Lord Shiva will never have to endure the torture of hell.
The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva. Many devotees also observe all-day fasting and an all-night-long vigil and chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord “Om Namah Shivaya”. Some devotees also do penances to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation.
On Maha Shivratri, Nishita Kala is the ideal time to observe Shiva Pooja. On this day, in all Shiva’s temples, the most auspicious Lingodbhava puja is performed.
Origins of Maha Shivaratri
The roots of the festival, and its modern significance, are entwined in ancient Indian mythology. According to legend, Maha Shivaratri marks the occasion when Shiva first performed the Tandava Nritya – also known as the dance of primordial creation, preservation, and destruction. It was through this dance of devotion that Lord Shiva saved the world from destruction.
Maha Shivaratri also marks the occasion of Shiva’s marriage to the Goddess Parvati, and the day he became one with Mount Kailash. In the yogic tradition Shiva is revered, not as a God, but as the Adi Guru – the very first Guru from whom the science of Yoga originated. Maha Shivarati is a night of stillness and quietude, inspired by and devoted to the stoic grace and discipline of Lord Shiva.
Rituals associated with Maha Shivaratri
The festival combines all-day fasting and an all-night vigil. During daylight hours, devotees rise early and take a ritual bath. After these ablutions, they will head over to the nearest temple dedicated to Shiva, to make offerings of milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar, and water. In homes and temples throughout India, the sacred mantra of Shiva is chanted: “Om Namah Shivaya.” Special Puja are held, during which incense is burned, lamps are lit, and streams of pilgrims continue to appear during the day and into the night. Through it all, devotees maintain a solemn fast until the following morning.
Maha Shivratri is closely associated with fertility and creation. During the festival, unmarried women observe this fast in the hope that they will find a partner, while married women observe the fast to give thanks and maintain the balance of harmony in their marriage.
Lord Shiva is commonly worshiped in the form of a symbol that represents creation – a lingam. Other common iconography or symbolism tied up with Shivaratri is the bel tree (or quince, which is native to India), as this was one apparently one of Shiva’s favorites. Today, its leaves and fruit continue to play a central role in the festivities.
Legends & Stories Of Maha Shivratri
Marriage of Shiva and Shakti
One of the most popular legends of Maha Shivratri is related to the marriage of Shiva and Shakti. The day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as Shivratri – the Night of Lord Shiva. It tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort. There is another version of the legend, according to which Goddess Parvati performed tapas and prayers on the auspicious moonless night of Shivratri, for the well being of her husband. Believing in this legend, married women began the custom of praying for the well being of their husbands and sons on Maha Shivratri, while, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal partner.
Samudra Manthan
There is another very popular Shivratri legend from Puranas, which explains why people stay awake all night on Shivratri and why Lord Shiva is also known as Neelakantha. According to the story, when the battle between devas and asuras took place, a pot of poison came out of the ocean and on the request of gods, Lord Shiva drank the poison. The poison was so potent that it changed the color of His neck to blue. For this reason, Lord Shiva is also called Neelkanth, where ‘Neela’ means blue and ‘Kantha’ means neck or throat. As part of the therapy, Lord Shiva was advised to awake during the night. Thus, to keep Shiva awake, the gods performed various dances and played music. Pleased with their devotion, He blessed them all, the next morning. Therefore, Shivratri is the celebration of this event in which Lord Shiva saved the world.
Legend of Shiva Linga
The legend of Shiva Linga is also deeply related to Maha Shivratri. According to the story, Brahma and Vishnu searched hard to discover the Aadi (beginning) and the Antha (end) of Lord Shiva. It has been believed that on the 14th day in the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna, Shiva first manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Since then, the day is considered to be extremely auspicious and is celebrated as Maha Shivratri – the grand night of Shiva. To celebrate this occasion, devotees of Lord Shiva keeps fast during the day and worship the Lord throughout the night. It is said that worshipping Lord Shiva on Shivratri bestows one with happiness and prosperity.
Legend of Ganga
The legend of Ganga is another popular legend which is related to Shivratri. Ganga’s descent from the heavens to the earth has been narrated in the Hindu mythological epic of Ramayana. This legend explains the popular custom of giving bath to Shiv Linga on Shivratri festival. According to this legend, Lord Shiva held out his thick matted hair to catch the river ganga, as she descended from heaven. The meandering through Shiva’s lock softened Ganga’s journey to the earth and the holy waters washed away the ashes of Bhagirath’s ancestors. The Ganga, thus, became an attribute of Shiva and therefore Shiva is also known as Gangadhara. Believing in this legend, Shiva is given a bath with gangajal and devotees take a dip in the holy water of river Ganga, on Shivratri.