Maha Shivratri, the night of the
worship of Lord Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark
half of the month of Phalguna.
It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus offer special prayer to the
lord of destruction. Shivratri (Sanskrit ‘ratri’ = night) is the night when he
is said to have performed the Tandava
Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and
destruction. The festival is observed for one day and one night only.
worship of Lord Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark
half of the month of Phalguna.
It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus offer special prayer to the
lord of destruction. Shivratri (Sanskrit ‘ratri’ = night) is the night when he
is said to have performed the Tandava
Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and
destruction. The festival is observed for one day and one night only.
According to the Puranas,
during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of
poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it
could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to
protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of
swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known
as ‘Nilkantha’, the blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event by which
Shiva saved the world.
during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of
poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it
could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to
protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of
swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known
as ‘Nilkantha’, the blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event by which
Shiva saved the world.
Shivratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married
women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women
pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and
Durga. But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva
during Shivratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He or she reaches
the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women
pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and
Durga. But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva
during Shivratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He or she reaches
the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
All through the day the devotees keep severe fast, chant the
sacred Panchakshara mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”, make offerings of flowers and
incense to the Lord amidst ringing of temple bells. They maintain long vigils
during the night, keeping awake to listen to stories, hymns and songs. The fast
is broken only the next morning, after the nightlong worship. ……….thehindublog.tumblr.com
sacred Panchakshara mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”, make offerings of flowers and
incense to the Lord amidst ringing of temple bells. They maintain long vigils
during the night, keeping awake to listen to stories, hymns and songs. The fast
is broken only the next morning, after the nightlong worship. ……….thehindublog.tumblr.com
