While there is a Shivratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, it is thought that the Maha Shivratri occurs only once a year, in the months of February/March, when winter comes to an end and spring and summer begin.
Maha Shivratri, also known as "The Great Night of Shiva," is a Hindu festival that commemorates the union of Shiva and Shakti. Shiv and Shakti are revered as the embodiment of love, power, and oneness.
Maha Shivratri, which falls in the Indian monthof Phalgun, is one of the most widely observed Hindu festivals. The activities for this year's auspicious event will begin at 3:16 a.m. on March 1st and end at 1:00 a.m. on March 2nd.
Significance
of Maha Shivratri
The significance of Maha Shivratri has
been described in several legends throughout history. According to
one of them, Lord Shiva performed the Tandav - a hypnotic and
celestial dance of creation, preservation, and destruction – on
this night. According to tradition, Shiva, the god of destruction,
wedded Parvati, the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty, who is
also known as Shakti, on this night (power).
According to
another legend, Shiva swallowed the cosmic poison created by the Gods
and devils from the ocean of milk on this night. Shiva's neck turned
blue as the poison remained in his throat for all eternity. Shiva's
compassion is thus celebrated during Shivratri.
Maha Shivratri, unlike many other Hindi festivals, is a more solemn occasion marked by introspective reflection and introspection. Devotees spend the day praying, meditating, and fasting for the entire day. Some people celebrate early in the morning, while others hold 'jagrans' late at night.
Devotees can also be seen worshipping the 'Shivling' – Shiva's iconic symbol – and performing Rudra-Abhishek, which involves bathing the Shivling in water, curd, or milk. 'Om Namah Shivaya' and 'Har Har Mahadev' chants resound across India's temples. Unmarried women fast during Maha Shivratri in the hopes of finding a husband like Lord Shiva.
Puja Timings
The optimal time to perform puja is between 12:23 AM and 12:59 AM on March 2 in the early hours of the morning.
On Shivratri, Nishita Kala is chosen to perform pujas and rites.
Before Amavasya (no moon) begins, all pujas and rituals are to be finished.
The Nishita Kala Puja begins at 12:23 a.m. on March 2nd and ends at 12:59 a.m. on March 2nd.
The Chaturdashi tithi in India's north, south, and east runs from 3:16 a.m. on March 1st to 1:01 a.m. on March 2nd.
Food Eaten on Maha Shivaratri
- The majority of adherents follow a fruit-based diet and drink plenty of water.
- Because it is such a long fast, many people eat a special meal called 'phalar.'
- Some people have a mid-day meal of non-cereal cuisine, such as boiled potatoes cooked in a curry with no onion, garlic, adarak, or haldi.
- Pakora or Kuttu Singhare ki puri is another dish served on this day.
- After sunset, no food is consumed.
- After performing puja and distributing alms, the next meal is eaten on the morning of Amavasya (the next day morning).
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