Maha Shivratri Puja

KNOW MAHA SHIVRATRI PUJA

Maha Shivratri or the ‘Great’ night of lord Siva, also known as Padmarajrathri, is celebrated annually on the 13th night of the Maagha month of the Hindu calender. Celebrated on the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha of Maagha, the festival is principally celebrated by chanting the sacred Panchakshara mantra, fasting, offering Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva followed by jagranas & havanas. This day is also known as the favorite day of Lord Shiva and the day when Shiva & Parvati got married.

IMPORTANCE

Maha Shivratri or Shivratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in the night in Faalgun month. Maha Shivratri is the most valued and celebrated festival among the twelve Shivratri celebrated every year. The festival is celebrated to worship Lord Shiva who is one of the Hindu trinity. The auspicious day is celebrated as the marriage-day of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees fast for the whole day and worship Shiva whole night long chanting the Shiva mantras and religious songs. The impact of the Shiva mantras exponentially enhances during the night as per the Hindu scriptures. Maha Shivratri is zealously celebrated in different parts of India but a grand participation of the devotees can be witnessed in Bihar and some South Indian locations. Devotees visit Shiva temples to give a bath to the Shivalinga with milk, ghee, Honey and Gangajal.

It is believed that the inception of Shiva was in the form of a Linga. The reason for Lord Shiva's birth was to maintain an equilibrium state between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu who were earlier used to act as rivals exhibiting own superiority. Shiva is the most superior, powerful and wise god among all the Gods and he is considered as Alpha and Omega.   

DESCRIPTION

Lord Shiva is the third deity in the Hindu trilogy, along with Lord Brahma and Vishnu. He is the destroyer of all evil, and the one who bestows the greatest blessings when pleased. The main festival that is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva is known as Maha Shivratri. This festival is celebrated once a year. During the Hindu month of maagh, on the 13th night, the celebration of Mahashivratri begins and continuous till 14th morning. Some believe this to be the night when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. This is also considered to be the occasion on which He performed the taandav. 

The word "Shiva Ratri" literally translates to "Night of the Lord Shiva". As per Puranas, during the churning of the ocean, a pot of poison emerged, which had the power to destroy the entire world. Lord Shiva drank the entire pot of poison (turning his throat blue) to save humanity thus gaining him the name "Neel (Blue) - Kanth (Throat)". The festival of Shivratri celebrates this event.

It is to be noted that Pooja and Homam performed on the day of Maha Shivaratri is considered most auspicious for bringing Health, Wealth and Happiness, Peace and Prosperity to the worshipper.

MANTRA

Shiva Gayatri Mantra is chanted while worshipping Lord Shiva -

"Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat"

Apart from the Shiva Gayatri Mantra, devotees also chant Mrityunjay Mantra and 108 names of Shiva.