All the Shiva bhakts across the world have two days to celebrate Maha Shivaratri this year. As the festival is celebrated on the Chaturdashi tithi during the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Phalgun, the festival of convergence of Lord Shiva and Shakti will be celebrated on two days this year – February 13 and 14.
Puja: Date and Time
It is considered auspicious to fast on February 13 (pradosh) as well as on February 14 till 12.17am. Chaturthi starts after 10.22 pm on February 13. People fasting from the morning of February 13 should end it on the morning of February 14 and people observing the fast on February 14 should end it on the same evening.
Significance Of Shivratri
There are several legends around Maha Shivratri. According to one legend, Maha Shivaratri was the day when Shiva drank poison (negativity) to protect the world. Another legend says that it is the night when Shiva performed the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction, while some believe that this is the night when Shiva and Parvati got married.
What to do on Shivaratri
The festival signifies the defeat of darkness and ignorance. Fasting and chanting of Shiva mantras is the most important feature of this festival. Early on the morning of the main day, devotees should visit a nearby Shiva temple after bathing and seek blessings of Lord Shiva. The puja should be done before noon.
An abhishek using ingredients including milk, rose water, sandalwood paste, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water should be performed on a Shivaling. It should be followed up with the offerings of bilva or bel patra (wood apple leaves), bilva fruits, dhatura (thorn-apple), ber, bhang (marijuana) leaves, coconut and flowers. The Shiva mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ can be changed throughout the process. Devotees observing fast can have fruits and juices.
Devotees can also go on a pilgrimage to the various Jyotirlingams in India, or practise yoga and or meditate to appease the Lord. Devotees wishing to be awake all night can perform a ‘jaagaran’ and sing hymns of Shiva.
Other important facts about Maha Shivaratri:
- People facing difficulty in marriage should offer kesar-milk on the Shivaling on Maha Shivaratri.
- People wishing for wealth should feed the fishes with wheat flour. They can also place a parad Shivaling at their home in the place they worship and offer prayers to it every day. Remember to consult a priest and follow the required procedure before placing this Shivaling.
- Devotees who want their wishes to come true can offer 21 bilva leaves (written ‘Om Namah Shivay’ with sandalwood paste) on the Shivaling.
- People wishing for happiness and prosperity can feed greens to an ox.
- For the moksha of the departed souls, devotees can feed the poor on this day.
- For mental peace, devotees can perform an abhishek of the Shivaling using black til (sesame seed) mixed in water and chant the Shiva mantra.
- Couples wishing for a child can make 11 Shivalings using wheat flour dough and perform an abhishek (using water) to each of them.
Image: Shiva-Bhagirathi; Courtesy: Vibha Singh (Delhi-based artist)
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