MAHA SHIVARATRI IS THE GREAT NIGHT TO REMOVE OUT ALL SINS AND ACTIVATE OUR HIGHER BRAIN
Maha Shivaratri Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri (Night of Shiva or "Great Night of Shiva") is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th day/13th night (breaking fast/'vrata' on 14th after sunrise) in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (that is, the night before and day of the new moon). This year Maha Shivaratri occurs in the time spanning Feb 20th over night to the early morning of Feb 21st. The most significant practices of this day are offering of Bilva leaves to the Lord Shiva and perform abhishekams, fasting and all through night long vigil chanting Shiva Panchakshari mantra. People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra Om / Hmmm NamaShivaya as it is said he who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples.
Story of Maha Sivarathri
According to a legend, during the Samudra Mathanam by the Gods and Demons, a poision came out of the ocean. It was so toxic, that its effect would have wiped out of the entire creation. At this juncture, on the advice of Lord Vishnu, the Gods approached Mahadev and prayed him to protect their lives by consuming the poision. The Lord pleased by the prayers out of compassion for living beings, Lord Shiva drank this poision and held it in this throat by binding it with a snake. The throat became blue due to the position. That is why Lord Shiva is otherwise called Neelakanta and Lord Shiva remained unharmed. The Ashwini Kumaras advised the Gods to keep Lord Shiva awake during the night as part of the therapy. To amuse Lord Shiva and to keep him awake, the gods took turn performing various dances and playing music. A vigil was thus kept by the gods in contemplation of Lord Shiva. As the day broke out, Lord Shiva pleased with their devotion and blessed them all. Since then, on this day and night, devotees fast, keep vigil, sing glories of Lord and meditate.
"As you keep vigil this night, you become aware of your life and karma. It is a great opportunity to connect with the divine formless form Lingam of Lord Shiva, the Lingam, who symbolizes 'all-auspiciousness', and to invite these energies in your life. In essence, Maha Shivaratri signifies the transition from the darkness of gloom and ignorance to the dawn of divine joy and knowledge"
Shivaratri Puja
Shivaratri Pooja has been given tremendous significance in Hindu mythology. It is said that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri day pleases Lord Shiva the most. Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Sankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.
According to Shiva Purana, sincere worship of Lord Shiva yields merits including spiritual growth for the devotees. Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of Shiva Linga with six different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord Shiva the most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in the abhisheka blesses a unique quality.
Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.
Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.
Honey is for sweet speech.
Ghee is for victory.
Sugar is for happiness.
Water is for purity.
Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also considered to be extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to Shiva for the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.
To perform the worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. This is followed by worship to Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva in accordance with the purification rite observed on all-important Hindu festivals. Devotees then wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition, devotees observe a fast on a Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of water.
According to Shiva Purana, sincere worship of Lord Shiva yields merits including spiritual growth for the devotees. Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of Shiva Linga with six different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord Shiva the most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in the abhisheka blesses a unique quality.
Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.
Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.
Honey is for sweet speech.
Ghee is for victory.
Sugar is for happiness.
Water is for purity.
Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also considered to be extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to Shiva for the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.
To perform the worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. This is followed by worship to Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva in accordance with the purification rite observed on all-important Hindu festivals. Devotees then wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition, devotees observe a fast on a Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of water.
What Can You Do at Home on Maha Shivaratri?
-Clean your home and clear your mind
-Enlighten your thoughts with remembering the Divine and Sing praise to the Divine with a full heart.
-Enjoy yourself! God is not a killjoy. The more joyous you are, the closer you get towards the spring of joy and bliss!
-Light a candle or a ghee lamp and some incense. A sweet smell is sure to be pleasing and purify any negative energies in the space
-Forget life's problems, the pains of your past, and worries about your future. Celebrate everything that is good in your life right now!
-worship Lord Shiva at home by offering Bilwa leaves and by chanting mantra - 'Hmmm Namah Shivaya'
Hmmm... Namah Shivaya (Om is recited as Hmmm..)
Prayers offered during Maha Shivaratri are promised to be amplified 10 million times. If there is a time that you can purify your thoughts and activate the empowerment of your goals, it is this special night. Throughout the night keep vigil, dont go to sleep, keep your stomach empty (if you fast you can stay alert to receive more energy) and chant Hmmm... Nama Shivaya.


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