Maha Shivratri Date – 21 Feb 2020

Maha Shivratri, “the night of Shiva”, is a festival held on the fourteenth night (Chaturdasi) of the dark half of the moon in the month of Magha (January-February). Ratri means ‘night’ and also ‘to take refuge.’ Shivratri is the night we take refuge in our spirit i.e., Shiva. It is the time to celebrate the soul or consciousness within. During Shivratri, we take refuge in the divine consciousness. There are two ways to do this: meditation and surrender. Surrender is having the faith that there is a Divine power that is taking care of us. Meditation and surrender bring peace and solace to us.

Who is Shiva? (in Hindi)

Significance & Meaning of Shiva (in English)

What to do on Maha Shivratri?

To mark the Shivratri day, devotees engage in remembering Lord Shiva, chanting his prayers, observing a fast, as well as meditating. It also includes offering prasad to the deity. The Shiva lingam is worshipped with Gangajal (water from the Ganges), milk, ghee and honey, fruits, flowers, but specially bael leaves are offered.

Following things should be done on Maha Shivratri :

1. Early Bath

If you are observing a fast, you should get up early in the morning and cleanse your body of impurities with warm water and wear clean cotton clothes after your bath.

2. Fast

Fasting during Shivaratri is said to have a lots of benefits. Fasting detoxifies the body and curtails the restlessness of the mind. A mind that is not restless slips into meditation easily. Therefore, fasting on Maha Shivratri serves to detoxify the body and aid meditation. The person observing the fast can have fruits and milk, along with regular “vrat” food. However, no food should be consumed after sunset.

3. Worship the Shivalinga

The Shivalinga is a symbolic representation of the formless Shiva. Bath Shiva’s lingam with water, milk and some honey. Post that, you should offer ‘Bilva’ leaf or the Belpatra, dhatura fruit, Akanda flowers, turmeric, kumkum and sandalwood to the ‘linga’. Also offer “Bhaang” to Shiva. One can also offer things like Ber or jujube fruit, betel leaves, incense sticks to the Shiva lingam.

4. Chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’

‘Om Namah Shivaya’ is the perfect mantra to chant on Maha Shivratri as it immediately elevates your energy. While praying to Shiva, one must chant the mantra Om Namah Shivaya. Apart from this, they should also light a lamp after the puja is over to signify their devotion to God.

5. Meditate & Night vigil

It is said that the person observing the fast should ideally stay awake for the entire night while singing devotional songs and praying. The fast next morning can be broken after eating prasad and applying Tilak to Shiva. The constellations on the night of Maha Shivratri are in a position considered very auspicious for meditation, and so, it is very useful for people to keep awake and meditate on Shivaratri.

Maha Shivratri Story

There are many stories that emerge over why we celebrate this festival. One legend says that Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some say that it was on this day that Shiva performed Tandava for the first time. Another popular Shivratri legend states that it was on this day that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga.

The main story associated with Shivratri is about the hunter, Surwar who was overtaken by darkness. He chose to climb a bael tree and rested. In his worry for his family he wept and slowly dropped leaves to the ground, where there was a Shiva lingam. Shiva was pleased with the hunter, and at his rebirth, he became King Chitrabhanu.

Fasting Maha Shivratri for the desired results