Why Mahashivaratri is celebrated India?
Why Mahashivaratri is celebrated? Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival that Hinduism celebrates. It is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the Krushna Pakhya of the month of Phalguna. There are generally ten fasts to please Shiva. Out of them, the Shivaratri fast is the best and most beneficial.
According to the Jabali Shruti, this Shivaratri fast is very auspicious among the ten Shiva vrata fasts. Some Shruti practice a Shivaratri fast on Krushna Chaturdashi Tithi during the ‘Maghasnanan’ fast of the fortunate month of Magha, but the Shivaratri fast observed on Krishna Chaturdashi Tithi of the Phalgun month is regarded as the best. This event is observed with great devotion and excitement throughout the Shaivite districts of India.
Why is Shivaratri celebrated?
The people believe that the great god Deba devi created the world on this day. According to another Purana, Shiva saved Dhara from imminent danger by drinking all the poison that came out of the ocean when the gods and demons churned it.
After drinking this poison, he fainted due to the heat of the poison. Till his consciousness returned, the gods and the Shaivrinda sat awake with unbroken lamps lit. Devotees celebrate Mahashivaratri to remember that day. Since Krishna appeared as a Shiva Linga on the Chaturdashi of Phalguna, this day is celebrated as Mahashivaratri every year.
How is Shivaratri celebrated?
Monday, the fourteenth day of every month, and Shivaratri are the most auspicious days for worshipping Shiva. While other gods are worshipped during the day, Lord Shiva is worshipped at night on this festival.
The devotees observe a fast on this day and in the evening they go to the Shiva temple light a diya and stay awake. There is a tradition of lighting the diya at late night along with worshipping Shiva and chanting his name. You can chant the five-syllable mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’.
Shivaratri is observed in four Prahars. Duration of each Prahar is three hours. On the first Prahar or in the evening, Shivalinga is milked. During the second Prahar or after the evening, Linga is milked curd. The third Prahar or during dark night, the Shivalinga is anointed with honey.
The Mahadeep is lit on the roof of the Shiva temple in the last watch of the night. Lighting Mahadeep is the purpose of removing the darkness of ignorance from the whole world and providing light. In every watch of the night, flowers, leaves, and fruits are offered to the Shivalinga and worshipped. On this day, some flowers are offered to Lord Shiva according to tradition.
On this day, Hindu men and women observe a fast by lighting a lamp continuously and staying awake all night, hence it is also called Jagar Osa or Jagar Vrat. This festival teaches that continuous vigilance and the light of knowledge are necessary to clear the path of self-improvement. At midnight, a huge lamp is taken to the top of the temple. Devotees are amazed by seeing it. On the second day, devotees break their fast by finishing their bath and other rituals.
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