Dedicated to the god of destruction, Maha Shivratri is believed to be the convergence of Lord Shiva and his Goddess Shakti — the balancing of the universe by the masculine and feminine energies.
MahaShivratri happens to be the darkest and the most divine night of the year. According to the Hindu calendar the 14th night of the lunar month, the night before the new moon is referred to as Shivratri. There is a total of 13 to 14 Shivratri a year, the Shivratri which falls in the month of Magha is known as MahaShivratri.
This year, Maha Shivratri has been observed on Tuesday, March 1.On this day, a puja is performed for Shiva during Nishida Kaal or midnight. The puja time is between 12.08 AM Tuesday till 12.58 AM on Wednesday.
On this day, Devotees observe a day-long fast, and pujas are performed in Shiv temples across the globe. Devotees usually offer milk to the Shivaling and pray for moksha.
What is Mahashivratri and Why it is Celebrated?
Mahashivratri, “The Great Night of Shiva” is the most significant event in India’s spiritual calendar.
The fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon is known as Shivratri. Among all the twelve Shivratris that occur in a calendar year, Mahashivratri, the one that occurs between February-March is of the most spiritual significance.
Maha Shivratri’s night marks the celebration of the union of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna.
As per Hindu mythology, on this day, Lord Shiva tied the nuptial knot with Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva embodies Purusha (mindfulness), whereas Maa Parvati has a persona of Prakriti (nature). With the union of both consciousness and energy, it facilitates creation. As per Hinduism, Lord Shiva on this night performs his heavenly dance of preservation, creation, and destruction, also known as ‘tandav’.
Significance of Mahashivratri: Why one should not sleep on Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. It is also very significant for people who are in family situations, and also for the ambitious in the world. People who live in family situations observe Mahashivratri as Shiva’s wedding anniversary. Those with worldly ambitions see that day as the day Shiva conquered all his enemies.
On this day the northern hemisphere of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural upsurge of energy in a human being. This is a day when nature is pushing one towards one’s spiritual peak. It is to make use of this, that in this tradition, we established a certain festival which is nightlong. To allow this natural upsurge of energies to find their way, one of the fundamentals of this nightlong festival is to ensure that you remain awake with your spine vertical throughout the night.
But, for the ascetics, it is the day he became one with Mount Kailash. He became like a mountain – absolutely still. In the yogic tradition, Shiva is not worshipped as a God, but considered as the Adi Guru, the first Guru from whom the science of Yoga originated. After many millennia in meditation, one day he became absolutely still. That day is Mahashivratri. All movement in him stopped and he became utterly still, so ascetics see Mahashivratri as the night of stillness.
One who follows Shiva with full dedication must practise sadhana or meditation on the night of Mahashivratri to feel the sense of peace and calm within the self.
Keeping the spine straight and vertical on mahashivratri night has immense benefits. Staying awake throughout the night with a vertical spine posture may lead to benefits for not only those on religious paths like yogis etc but others as well. Lord Shiva holds a 3rd eye which is the basis of all the realities. It is beyond the physical and provides a dimensional perception. Mahashivratri facilitates your journey towards the opening up of your 3rd eye for a deeper dimensional perception within yourself and your surroundings.
