Hindus around the world are celebrating Mahashivratri today. Mahashivratri is considered to be one of the most auspicious festivals by the Hindu community. Devotees throng the temples with prayers and offerings of fruits and flowers. It is celebrated with much joy and devotion. Mahashivratri, translates to the 'Great night of Shiva' and is celebrated every year on the 13th night and the 14th day of the month of
Phaguna or
Maagh according to Hindu Lunar calendar. Biggest and oldest Shiva temples like Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain or Somnath Temple in Gujarat witnesses an out pour of lakhs of devotees annually, on the eve of this auspicious occasion. They also go to Varanasi to take a spiritualistic bath in the Ganges seeking Lord Shiva's divine blessings.
Significance of Mahashivratri The celebrations of
Mahashivratri begin a day in advance. Prayers and vigils go on throughout the night of Maha Shivaratri. The Maha Shivaratri is mentioned in several
Puranas, particularly the
Skanda Purana, Linga Purana and
Padma Purana. There are several legends associated to the celebration of night. According to one legend in the
Shaivism tradition, this is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction. While some scriptures claim that this was the night of holy matrimony of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati.
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Mahashivratri is considered to be one of the most auspicious festivals in Hindu community
On the day of Mahashivratri, devotees wake up early and visit the temples to please their beloved deity. They also bathe the
Shiva Abhishekam. As part of Maha Shivaratri's
Abhishekam, the Shiva
linga, a signifier of Shiva's abundant power is given a ritualistic bath typically with milk. Devotees bathe the
linga with milk, honey, ghee, curd, and sandalwood paste while chanting '
Om Namaha Shivay'. They also offer fruits like
ber (jujube), bael leaves and flowers are also offered to the
Shiva Lingam. Mahashivratri 2018: Devotees offer bael leaves and bael fruit to the deity
Some ardent devotees also observe the ritualistic fast or the
Maha Shivaratri Vrata. Some devotees also opt to fast through the day without a single drop of water to please Lord Shiva. Majority of devotees observe a special fast consisting largely of fruits along with plenty of water and milk.
Devotees of Shiva have been observing the fast since centuries with immense discipline and dedication. Scriptures say that if a devotee is able to manage the feat with sincerity, Lord Shiva absolves him of all his sins and blesses him with abundant prosperity. No meal is eaten after sunset on Shivaratri day. Next meal is taken on the morning of
amavasya (next day morning) after doing
puja. People who can't observe the fast for whatever reasons, like illness or old age consume fruits and milk-based foods to keep up with the tradition.
Happy Mahashivratri 2018!