Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The
Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of
Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the
moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which
corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating
the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform
ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva.
Legends of
Mahashivratri
There are various interesting legends
related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most
popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva
performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and
destruction. Another popular Shivratri legend stated in Linga Purana states
that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a
Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees
and they celebrate it as Mahashivaratri - the grand night of Shiva.
Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri
Various traditions and customs
related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the worshippers of
Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a
diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water. Devotees
strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of
Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth
and death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. While
married women pray for the well being of their husbands unmarried women pray
for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband.
To mark the Shivratri festival,
devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river Ganga. After
wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give
ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.
On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva
continues all through the day and night. Every three hours priests perform
ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee,
sugar and water amidst the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of
temple bells. Nightlong vigil or jaagran is also observed in Shiva temples
where large number of devotees spend the night singing hymns and devotional
songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning that devotee
break their fast by partaking prasad offered to the deity.