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Maha Shivratri 2023

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February 18, 2023, Saturday

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Introduction to Maha Shivratri

The 14th waning Moon during the Phalgun month (mid-Feb to mid-Mar) is observed as Maha Shivaratri — the night, which is special to Lord Shiva and very auspicious for receiving his abundant grace.

Significance of Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is the ideal day when you can access the energies of Lord Shiva and receive his blessings to remove all kinds of karma and acquire new consciousness. The night provides scope for changing the repetitive patterns of thoughts that keep creating the same reality for you recurrently. Such a change that is spurred within can remove all obstacles that keep you stuck at any phase of life. Maha Shivaratri can thus, help in energizing and nurturing your body and mind with a new consciousness that offers a chance to create a new life, with new opportunities.

Mythology behind Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivaratri

There are several mythologies associated with Shivaratri.

  • On Maha Shivaratri, Lord Shiva assumed the form of an infinite flaming fire (Shiva Lingam ) to put an end to the duel between Lord Brahma and Vishnu and prove Shiva’s supremacy over everyone
  • According to another legend, on Maha Shivratri, Lord Shiva drank the Halahala (poison) that fell in the nectar during the event of Samudra Manthan (churning of the milky ocean), to save the universe
  • Maha Shivaratri is also observed as the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
  • Another myth states that it was on Maha Shivaratri Lord Shiva beheld River Ganges in his matted hair, to soften her flow down to the earth
  • The practice of nightlong vigil and worship of Lord Shiva came into practice when a tribal and an ardent devotee of Shiva named ‘Lubhdhaka’ who kept awake the whole night on a tree, dropping vilva leaves on a Shiva Lingam beneath the tree on Shivaratri. This rewarded him with divine bliss
Rituals of Maha Shivratri

Scriptures relate that Shiva prefers being worshipped in the form of Lingam on this special day. Devotees of Shiva enjoy the heartfelt pleasure they obtain on chanting the Panchakshari (5 letter) mantra “NA MA SI VA YA” throughout the Maha Shivaratri Pooja. While performing Abishekam (hydration Pooja) to the Lingam with milk, honey, butter, curd and rose water or holy water of the Ganges you should chant this mantra.

As Bilva leaf (leaf from wood apple tree) is considered very sacred to Shiva, offering him a sprig of this leaf and chanting the verses of Bilvashtakam (hymn highlighting the importance of offering Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva) on Maha Shivaratri is considered very auspicious. Subsequently, you can offer fruits and flowers to him.

Rudra Homa (fire prayer) can also be performed. In the Rig Veda, Rudra is mentioned as a mighty being, and the verses called Sri Rudram (Vedic hymn to Lord Rudra) is recited during the fire lab to invoke his energies that can drive away any negative emotions and enemies. Rituals of Maha Shivratri are performed throughout the night for every three hours from 6 PM to 6 AM and are called 4 Kalas (power times).

The sound vibrations of the mantra “NA MA SI VA YA” are the sounds of the five elements:

  • NA is a sound for the earth element
  • MA is a sound for the water element
  • SI (pronounced like the English word "she") is a sound for the fire element
  • VA is a sound for the air or wind element
  • YA is a sound for the ether or causal plane

These sounds help you harmonize with all the five basic elements of nature, which constitute every matter in the universe.

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Maha Shivaratri Vrat (Fasting)

According to Shiva Purana, fasting on Shivaratri is of utmost importance. A devotee who takes a vow to fast on Shivaratri should observe fast throughout the day and night. Fasting can also be observed by consuming only fruits. You should begin your fast after having a bath in the morning and the night and spend your time in praying to Lord Shiva, either in a temple or your house.

Benefits of Observing Maha Shivaratri

Worshipping Lord Shiva on Shivaratri and observing a Vrat (fasting) can bestow the following benefits:

  • Fulfillment of wishes
  • Blessings of peace, prosperity, and happiness
  • Long and blissful married life
  • Blessing of a husband like Lord Shiva for unmarried women
  • Help get rid of sins and attainment of salvation
Connect With The Divine

The sacred scriptures prescribe fire ceremony, Abishekam (hydration ceremony), Pooja/Archana (Light and Sound ceremony), Yantra and Mantra (special sounds) as the ways to offer your prayer to the divine. Out of these, fire ceremony is the most evolved spiritual technology on earth to connect with the divine beings. Participate in the remedial services to clear your karma and receive the blessings.

Shiva Homa (Fire Lab)

Lord Shiva is the archetype of Universal Consciousness, the primordial energy responsible for all possibilities.

Shiva Yantra

Fear will no longer be a roadblock to your success with the Shiva Yantra.Assault all evil spirits that dominate your positivity.

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