Maha Shivratri: Origin | History | Significance | Celebration

Maha Shivratri is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha month of the Hindu calendar. It is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism, and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. The festival is celebrated for different reasons by different people. For some, it is a day of fasting and prayer, for others it is a day of revelry and celebration. But for all, it is a day of reverence and respect for Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration.
Maha Shivratri is celebrated with great pomp and show in temples all over India. Devotees from all over the country visit Shiva temples to offer prayers and sing hymns in his praise. The festival is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in Nepal, where Shiva is considered the supreme god.

Origin of Maha Shivratri:

Maha Shivratri is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence to Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated on the moonless night of the fourth lunar month of the Hindu calendar, which typically falls in February or March in the Gregorian calendar. There is no definitive legend behind the origin of Maha Shivratri. However, there are several popular myths and stories that are associated with the festival. One popular legend recounts the tale of Lord Shiva drinking the poison Halahala that emerged from the churning of the ocean of milk. To protect the world from the poison, Shiva drank it all himself. 

As a result, his throat turned blue and he was henceforth known as Neelkantha, the Blue-Throated One. Maha Shivratri is celebrated as the day when Shiva saved the world from destruction. Another popular legend recounts the story of Lord Shiva undertaking a long and arduous meditation to absolve himself of the sins of the world. As a result of his meditation, Shiva attained enlightenment and became the first of the Maha Siddhas. Maha Shivratri is therefore celebrated as the day when Shiva became the first yogi and attained spiritual liberation.

History of Maha Shivratri:

The history of Maha Shivratri is shrouded in mystery. However, it is widely accepted that the festival celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. There are many legends associated with the festival, all of which celebrate the divine love story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. One legend tells the story of how Goddess Parvati performed austerities for many years to win the heart of Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva finally agreed to marry her, she threw a grand celebration. All the gods and goddesses were invited to the wedding, and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. Another legend tells the story of how Maha Shivratri got its name. It is said that Lord Shiva drank an ocean of poison during a battle with demons. To protect him, Goddess Parvati held her breath for hours until the poison was gone. Lord Shiva was so grateful to her that he declared that Maha Shivratri would be celebrated every year in her honour. No matter what the legends say, one thing is for sure: Maha Shivratri is a festival that celebrates the divine love story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Maha Shivratri Art :

In front of their homes and temples during the Shivratri festival, particularly in various regions of northern India, people create a variety of artistic paintings known as mandalas. These designs are typically created using a variety of organic materials, including clay, sand, sesame seeds, and even water. The majority of the Shivratri artwork (or mandalas) show reverence for Lord Shiva and his family. Typically, during the Shivratri festival, people draw images of Lord Shiva, Gauri, Ganesha, and Parvati, the Goddess of Nature. Typically, a wooden stick and natural colors are used to create these designs. Each artistic artwork (or Shivratri festival drawing) is typically drawn on the ground outside of residences or on walls.

Significance of Maha Shivratri:

Maha Shivratri is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated every year. The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and falls on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha month according to the Hindu calendar. This year, Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on February 27, 2017. The festival holds great importance for Shaiva Hindus, who celebrate it with great fervor. On this day, devotees observe a fast and perform special prayers and rituals in honor of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivratri is also considered a day of great spiritual significance, as it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Lingam (an iconic symbol of Lord Shiva). People visit temples dedicated to Lord Shiva to offer prayers and perform rituals. They also perform special dances and sing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivratri is considered a very auspicious day to seek blessings from Lord Shiva and to attain Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). On this day, Shiva is worshipped. They sing religious songs, chant mantras, light candles, and go to Shiva temples. Shiva is thought to have delivered the inaugural preaching on this day. It also heralds Aghora's entrance.

Significance of Maha Shivratri for Women:

Women also regard the Mahashivratri Festival as being a very important holiday. In order to satisfy Goddess Parvati, who is also known as "Gaura," or the one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life, both married and single women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with dedication. Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the perfect husband, is someone who unmarried women also pray for.

What is the difference between Shivratri and Maha Shivratri?

Hindus celebrate Lord Shiva, the god of destruction, on two occasions: Shivratri and Mahashivratri. The 13th night and 14th day of the Hindu month of Phalgun are designated as the celebration days for both celebrations (February–March). Lord Shiva is honored on Shivratri, a night of worship and fasting, while Mahashivratri is a great celebration marked by a lot of fervour and devotion. Shivratri and Mahashivratri are distinguished primarily by the manner in which they are observed: the former is an observance, while the latter is a festival. Devotees observe a fast and refrain from all worldly activities during the festival of Shivratri in homage to Lord Shiva. In Lord Shiva's honor, they keep a 24-hour vigil and practice meditation. Contrarily, Mahashivratri is a festival that is fervently and devotedly observed.

Shivratri and Mahashivratri are distinguished primarily by the manner in which they are observed. Mahashivratri is observed as a festival. On Shivratri, believers refrain from engaging in any worldly pursuits and observe fasts in homage to Lord Shiva. In the name of Lord Shiva, they keep a 24-hour vigil and practice meditation. On the other hand, Mahashivratri is cherished and enthusiastically observed. People worship Lord Shiva by providing prayers, special poojas, and offerings. In order to receive Lord Shiva's blessings, worshippers attend Shiva temples, sing devotional songs, dance, and play music. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that Shivratri is commemorated monthly while Mahashivratri is observed annually.

The former is primarily held to commemorate the evening on which Lord Shiva performed the Tandava dance, and the latter is celebrated to commemorate the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

How is Maha Shivratri celebrated?

The festival of Mahashivratri is a time when people respect and celebrate Lord Shiva, as well as life and being. The majority of people spend Mahashivratri day in prayer, meditation, and joy. Lord Shiva's followers continue to this day to carefully and devotedly perform the traditional worship of Shivratri. They maintain a day and night fast and bathe the Shiva Linga in milk, honey, water, and other sacred substances. On a Shivaratri, Hindus believe that worshipping Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity can atone for past misdeeds, making it a most auspicious to do so. The follower arrives at Lord Shanker's mansion and settles down.
It is celebrated with great pomp and show all over India. Many Shiva and Parvati temples celebrate this grand festival in many ways. Thousands of pilgrims visit the various temples in the country.

Celebration in India and abroad:

The "Great Night of Shiva" is also known as "Shiva Ratri," and it is widely observed across India and even outside of the country. In some locations, worshippers participate in a parade while bringing the sacred Ganges water, which is afterward presented to Lord Shiva. Other regions of the nation have their followers observe a fast and spend the night in prayer and meditation. Many people also practice "partial fasting," which involves having just one meal each day. In some locations, unique rituals are carried out, such as the "Abhishek," which involves pouring milk and water over a Shiva Lingam (the divine symbol of Lord Shiva).

Offerings of flowers, fruits, incense, and dhoop are made after that (a fragrant paste made from sandalwood and other herbs). Devotees congregate at temples in the evening to perform a ceremonial prayer known as "Shiva Puja." This entails reciting mantras and giving Lord Shiva "dhoop" (a fragrant paste made from sandalwood and other herbs) and "bael leaves." After the puja, devotees sing devotional songs and dance in joy. At the end of the day, devotees light "diyas" (small earthen lamps) to signify the victory of good over evil. Fireworks and bonfires are also lit as a sign of joy and celebration. The day is essentially a reminder of the power of Lord Shiva and his ability to protect us from evil.

What to do in Maha Shivratri:

The festival of Mahashivratri is a time when people respect and celebrate Lord Shiva, as well as life and being. The majority of people spend Mahashivratri day in prayer, meditation, and joy. 

List of things to do in Maha Shivratri:

1. Observe fasting
2. Meditate
3. Chant holy mantras
4. Perform Rudra Puja
5. Worship Shiva linga
6. Give offerings to the God

Maha Shivratri Puja Rituals:

The main event of Maha Shivaratri is a night-long vigil of worship. The vigil is observed by fasting, praying, and meditating on Shiva. Offerings of fruits, vegetables, milk, and water are made to the god. The most important offering is the bael fruit, which is considered sacred to Shiva.The festival culminates with the participants bathed in the Ganges River. The rituals include day long puja, meditation, fasting, at last performing “Arati” or lighting the holy lamp.

Delicacies:

Like every other puja, bhog/prasad is an essential part of this festival as well. The most special delicacies of this festival are as follows:

1. Thandai
2. Lassi
3. Hemp pakora
4. Makhana Kheer
5. Halwa
6. Malpua
7. Sabudana(Tapioca) Khichdi
8. Sabudana Vada

Best places to visit:

Although Maha Shivratri is celebrated all over India in many temples, there are some places where the festivities are held in a grand way. The places to visit are as follows:

1. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (Kashi Vishwanath Temple)

2. Haridwar

3. Rishikesh

4. Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

5. Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati

Maha Shivratri Puja Date and Timings 2023

Date: 18th February, 2023
Shubha Muharat starts at dawn. The festival is usually celebrated at night.