Maha Shivaratri: Celebrating the Auspicious Night of Lord Shiva|Maha Shivaratri 2023
India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions, where the celebration of festivals forms an integral part of its social fabric. One such festival that holds immense significance in the Hindu mythology is Maha Shivaratri. The term ‘Maha Shivaratri’ is derived from the Sanskrit language, where ‘Maha’ means ‘great’, ‘Shiva’ means ‘Lord Shiva’, and ‘ratri’ means ‘night’. Therefore, the festival of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated to pay homage to Lord Shiva, one of the most revered deities in the Hindu religion. In this blog post, we will explore the various aspects of Maha Shivaratri, including what it is, when it is celebrated, why it is celebrated, who celebrates it, where it is celebrated, and how it is celebrated.
When is Maha Shivratri? : Mahashivratri is on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
Maha Shivratri kya hota hai?
What is Maha Shivaratri?
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna, which falls between February and March as per the Gregorian calendar. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the night before the new moon in the month of Magha. This festival is celebrated to mark the convergence of Lord Shiva and Shakti, which is believed to have occurred on this day. The festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by the devotees of Lord Shiva, who offer prayers and perform various rituals to seek the blessings of the deity.
When is Maha Shivaratri Celebrated?
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna. As per the Gregorian calendar, it usually falls in February or March. However, the exact date of the festival may vary from year to year, as it is determined by the Hindu calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. The festival is celebrated for one day and one night, where devotees observe a strict fast and stay awake all night to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
Why is Maha Shivaratri Celebrated?
Mahashivaratri kyu manaya jata hai?
There are several legends associated with the celebration of Maha Shivaratri. One of the most popular legends is the story of the Samudra Manthan or the churning of the ocean. According to the legend, the gods and the demons churned the ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality. However, the poison that came out of the ocean was so deadly that it threatened to destroy the universe. Lord Shiva, being the protector of the universe, drank the poison to save the world. As a result, his throat turned blue, and he came to be known as Neelkanth. Therefore, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated to honor Lord Shiva's selfless act of drinking the poison and saving the world.
Who Celebrates Maha Shivaratri?|Mahashivratri kon manata hai?
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated by the devotees of Lord Shiva all over the world. It is one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu religion, and millions of people celebrate it with great enthusiasm and devotion. The festival is not limited to a particular region or community, and people from all walks of life come together to celebrate the auspicious night of Lord Shiva.
Where is Maha Shivaratri Celebrated? Mahashivratri kaha manaya jata hai?
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in different parts of India and in other countries where the Hindu community is present. However, some of the most popular places to celebrate the festival are the temples of Lord Shiva. The most famous of these temples are the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, the Mahakaleshwar
Maha Shivaratri is one of the most significant festivals in India, celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva. It is believed that on this day, Lord Shiva performs the cosmic dance, which marks the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe. Maha Shivaratri falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna, which usually falls between February and March. This year, Maha Shivaratri is on February 18.
The festival of Maha Shivaratri has various myths and legends associated with it. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati on this auspicious day. It is also said that Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Linga (a phallic symbol) on the day of Maha Shivaratri. The Linga symbolizes the unity of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, representing the union of the male and female energies in the universe.
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion throughout the country. The celebrations start early in the morning with devotees visiting Lord Shiva temples and offering prayers. They bathe the Linga with milk, honey, and water, and light incense sticks and oil lamps. The devotees also perform Abhishekam, which is a ritual of pouring milk, honey, curd, and other holy substances on the Linga. The temple priests perform special puja and aarti, and offer prasad (blessed food) to the devotees.
Maha Shivaratri is also the day when devotees observe fast, which is believed to bring good health, prosperity, and happiness. The fast starts in the morning and continues till the next day, an devotees abstain from food and water during this period. The fast is broken on the next day with a meal of fruits and sweets.
Mahashivaratri ke bare me kuch facts| facts about Mahashivaratri:
Apart from the religious significance, there are several facts associated with Maha Shivaratri. Here are some interesting facts about this auspicious day:
1: Maha Shivaratri is not just celebrated in India but also in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other parts of the world where Hindus reside.
2: The word ‘Shivaratri’ means ‘the night of Shiva,’ and the festival is celebrated on the 14th night of the new moon.
3: It is believed that Lord Shiva saved the world from destruction by drinking the poison that emerged during the churning of the ocean, which turned his throat blue. Hence, he is also known as ‘Neelkanth’ (blue-throated).
4: Maha Shivaratri is a night of meditation, and it is said that by meditating on Lord Shiva on this day, one can attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).
5: According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is the destroyer of evil and ignorance and is known as the ‘Mahadev’ (the great god).
6: The festival of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. In some places, it is celebrated as the day when Lord Shiva defeated the demon Tripurasura, while in others, it is celebrated as the day when Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Linga.
7: Maha Shivaratri is also a day when people seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for success, prosperity, and happiness in life.
In conclusion, Maha Shivaratri is a festival of great significance in the Hindu religion, celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across the country. It is a day when people seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and pray for the well-being of their loved ones.
एक टिप्पणी भेजें