Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated especially in India and as well as in Nepal in the honor of The God Of Destruction – SHIVA. Shivaratri is generally observed by Hindus. This festival marks overcoming darkness and ignorance in life. Shivaratri is celebrated by simply remembering Shiva, chanting prayers of Shiva, practicing yoga, fasting, and contemplating ethics and virtues of honesty, restraint, and forgiveness.
When Shivaratri Is Celebrated?
Why We Celebrate Maha Shivaratri?
Churning of the ocean – Manthan Credit: Wikimedia Commons |
According to The Legend Of Mahadev, The Supreme One – there are so many distinct stories related to the celebration of Mahashivaratri such that
- Shivaratri is the day when the absolute formless god SADASHIVA appeared in the form of (Shankara) Kailashpati Shiva (One Of The Tridev).
- Shivaratri is the day when Lord Shiva was married to her better half DEVI PARVATI.
- Shivaratri is the day when The Supreme One “Lord Shiva” swallowed the deadly poison that arose during the churning of ocean called Sāgara Manthana (सागरमन्थन), and by this deed, Shiva became Neelkanth Mahadev.
- According to some other legends, Shivaratri is the day when Mahadev performed the divine dance of creation, preservation, and destruction; in our native language known as the Tandava dance or Tāṇḍava nṛtya.
The dance of Shiva Credit: Wikimedia Commons |
These legends or Mythological Stories are often regarded as The Origin Of Shivaratri or Maha Shivaratri. But there is one more mythological story of the origin of Shivaratri and as well as the creation of Phases Of The Moon.
Why We Celebrate Maha Shivaratri – In My View
Shankara Without Moon On His Head Credit: devonkedevmahadev.wikia.com |
Even though Chandra married 27 daughters of Prajapati Daksha, yet he overly favored only one daughter i.e Rohini. Chandra while being in love with Rohini, neglected the needs and responsibilities of the other 26 wives over Rohini. So as a result, some of the wives of Chandra complained about the neglecting behavior of Soma to their father Daksha. As a father, Daksha became furious over Chandra dev unforgivable deeds. And for this Prajapati Daksha cursed Chandra to wither and die or he will have to suffer from “Kshay” – deterioration of body within a limited period of time. Only Mahadev could protect the Chandra from the wrath of Prajapati Daksha.
But later for the well-being of nature and planet earth, Lord Shiva agreed to relieve the Chandra from the curse of Prajapati Daksha but not completely. Mahadev explained to Chandra that he had to face the curse but only half of it. So Mahadev placed him on his head ( that is why Mahadev is known as Chandrashekhara) and gave Chandra the boon that, ” in a month, for 15 days he would face the curse and decrease in size and for 15 days he would grow to the larger extent”. The totally diminished Chandrama is nothing but “AMAVASYA or NEW MOON DAY” and the full-sized Chandrama is “POORNIMA or FULL MOON DAY.
Mahadev With Moon On His Head Credit: devonkedevmahadev.wikia.com |
The place where Chandra worshipped Lord Shiva is now known as Somnath temple which is in Gujrat made by Chandradev himself. this day, when Lord Shiva protected the Chandradev from the wrath of Prajapathi Daksha and also the Devi Sati relieved Lord Shiva from the curse of Prajapathi Daksha come to be known as the origin of Mahashivaratri festival. This is also the day when Mahadev accepted Devi Sati as his eternal consort.
How To Do Maha Shivaratri Fasting?
“Mahadev to bas ek Bel Patra (Aegle marmelos) se khiche chale aate hai”
ShivLingam Abhishekam |
Prayers To Lord Shiva
“O Lord ! I will bathe Thee with water, milk, etc. Do Thou kindly bathe me with the milk of wisdom. Do Thou kindly wash me of all my sins, so that the fire of worldliness which is scorching me may be put out once for all, so that I may be one with Thee-the One alone without a second”
Lord Shiva Boon To Whoever observe Mahashivaratri
Lord Shiva Quote
Maha Shivaratri ka Vrat Visesh Falon Ko Pradan Karne Wala Hai. Is vrat ko rakhne se Purusho (man) ki saari manokaamnaae puri hongi, Suhaagan strio (married girl) ka suhaag bana rahega, kuwari ladkio (unmarried girl) ko mann chaha var milega.
∗ Don’t Believe It As I Said Till You Yourself Believe It First – Gautama Buddha
asd23