Maha Shivarati Festival 2018 |
Maha Shivarati Festival 2018
The Hindu festival of Maha Shivarati or The Grand/Great Night of Shiva is celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva, one of the deities in the Hindu trinity. This year it falls on Tuesday 13th February, on what is considered to be the darkest night of the year, and is celebrated widely around the world. Unlike most Hindu festivals, this is considered a solemn occasion which can include all-night vigils and prayers, strict fasting, meditation, and introspective focus. It is believed that this is a time for overcoming darkness in your life and in the world, and that showing deep devotion to the most graceful of the deities, Lord Shiva, on this night can absolve you of your sins. The cosmos is said to be filled with divine energy in abundance and Hindus offer prayers to tap into this energy.
Lord Shiva is considered to be formless, shapeless and timeless and is represented by the mystical symbol, the Shiva Linga or Lingam. Legend states that it was on this day that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga and ritual worship of Shiva Lingam is therefore performed to appease Lord Shiva on Maha Shivarati and to bring salvation.
Maha Shivarati celebrates the wedding of Lord Shiva to the Goddess Parvati. Is is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for their husband’s wellbeing whilst unmarried women pray to be blessed with a husband like Lord Shiva.
Maha Shivaratri is a festival of gratitude to Lord Shiva for protecting the world from deadly poison, the legend of Neelkanth. Lord Shiva drank the poison which emerged from the great churning of the ocean by gods and demons, so that the world was not destroyed. He held the poison in his throat, turning blue, so that it didn’t reach his stomach (which represents the universe).
On Maha Shivaratri, various traditional practises and customs are followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. The day before the Shrivaratri fast, devotees should only eat once. On the day itself, the devotee takes a bath and makes an oath (Sankalp) to fast until the following morning and worship Shiva all day. Many visit the temple. In the evening, devotees take a second bath before performing Shiva Puja, making offerings to Lord Shiva. For best results, you should pray four times on the night og Maha Shivaratri, offering the following:
Worshipping and making offerings to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivaratri is said to bring specific benefits to the worshipper including attaining a long and satisfactory life. Ablution of Lord Shiva purifies your soul, whilst lighting a lamp is believed to bring knowledge. For those wanting children, milk should be poured on Shiva Lingam at this time. Offerings of honey, ghee and sugarcane is believed to bring wealth, whilst offering darbha mixed with water can rid you of diseases. Vehicles should be purchased on this day after bathing Lord Shiva in curd.
From all at KismatKarma, we wish you a happy and blessed Maha Shivratri. This really is a good time to improve your spirituality whilst the cosmos is replete with divine energy. Choose a blessings token and we can focus on an area in your life where you need a little extra blessings:
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