Maha Shivaratri is one of the greatest Hindu festivals celebrated annually in the name of Lord Shiva. It is literally known as ‘’ the great night of Shiva’’ that falls on the new moon of Magh/Falgun (Feb/March according to English according) according to the Hindu calendar. This festival is mostly celebrated in Nepal and India by remembering Shiva, Chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga, meditating on ethics and virtues.

The devotees awake all night. They also visit the Shiva temple. It is believed that whoever fasts on this night and prays to Lord Shiva will get luck, prosperity, and peace in their life.

Many mythological stories are related to the origin of Shivaratri but its original date is still unknown. According to Jones and Ryan, this festival might have been originated around the 5^th century CE. This festival is mentioned in most of the famous Puranas like Skanda Purana, Linga Purana, and Padma Purana.

‘’One of the most popular stories related to the festival is that this was the auspicious day when Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati. So, it is worshiped as the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.’’

‘’Similarly, according to another Hindu mythological story, the Earth faced massive destruction, Goddess Parvati pledged to save the world with Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, pleased with her prayers, agreed to save the world. But he said that everyone from the Earth has to worship him with pure dedication and passion. So from that day onwards, the night is known as Maha Shivratri and people began worshipping Lord Shiva with dedication and enthusiasm..’’

‘’In addition, one of the legends says that Shivratri is celebrated as the day when Brahma and Vishnu went into a major debate about who is the supreme power. This made Lord Shiva angry.

So, he decided to punish both of them by taking the form of a massive fire that spread across the length of the universe. Vishnu and Brahma then take part in the race to find the end of the fire and prove their powers. Brahma resorted to a lie. Shiva was angered greatly and he cursed Brahma that no one would ever pray to him on this earth.’’

Overall, by researching different articles, histories, and mythological stories related to Lord Shiva, here we have listed the top five reasons why we should celebrate Maha Shivaratri.

What is a maha Shivaratri festival?

Shivaratri is an incredible celebration of the union of Shiva and Shakti. Chaturdashi Tithi amid Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha is known as Maha Shivaratri according to the South Indian timetable. However, as indicated by the North Indian schedule Masik Shivaratri in the month of Phalguna is known as Maha Shivaratri. In the two datebooks, it is the naming tradition of lunar month which varies.

However, both, North Indians and South Indians observe Maha Shivaratri on the same day. Vrat Vidhi – One day before Shivaratri Vratam, doubtlessly on Trayodashi, aficionados ought to eat just a single time. On Shivaratri day, after getting done with wake-up routines lovers should take Sankalp to watch the entire day quickly on Shivaratri and to take sustenance the following day.

During Sankalp, devotees promise self-assurance all through the fasting time frame and look for the gift of Lord Shiva to complete the quick with no impedance. Hindu fasts are strict and individuals vow for self-assurance and look for God favoring before beginning them to complete them effectively. On Shivaratri day lovers should wash up in the prior night doing Shiva Puja or going to a sanctuary. Shiva Puja ought to be finished amid night and lovers should break the quick following day in the wake of washing up. Lovers should break the quick amongst dawn and before the finish of Chaturdashi Tithi to get the greatest advantage of the Vrat.

Drikpanchang. comlists each of the four Prahar durations for staunch Shiva aficionados who perform Shiva Puja four times in the night. We additionally list Nishita’s time when Lord Shiva showed up on the Earth in the shape of Linga and the time window to break the quick on the following day.

As per one conflicting conclusion lovers should break the quick just when Chaturdashi Tithi gets over. In any case, it is trusted that both Shiva Puja and Parana i.e. breaking the quick ought to be done inside Chaturdashi Tithi. Shivaratri puja can be performed one time or four times during the night. The entire night span can be separated into four to get four Prahar to perform Shiva Puja four times. Drikpanchang. comlists each of the four Prahar durations for staunch Shiva aficionados who perform Shiva Puja four times in the night. We additionally list Nishita’s time when Lord Shiva showed up on the Earth in the shape of Linga and the time window to break the quick on the following day.

As indicated by another legend in the Shiva Purana, once the other two of the sets of three Hindu gods, Brahma, and Vishnu, were battling about who was prevalent of the two. Alarmed at the power of the fight, alternate divine beings requested that Shiva intercede. To influence them to understand the vanity of their battle, Shiva accepted the type of a tremendous segment of flame in the middle of Brahma and Vishnu. Awestruck by its extent, they chose to discover one end each to build up matchless quality over the other.

Brahma accepted the type of a swan and went upwards and Vishnu as Varaha went into the earth. Be that as it may, light has no restriction, and however, they hunt down a huge number of miles, neither could discover the end. On his excursion upwards, Brahma ran over a Ketaki bloom floating down gradually. At the point when asked where she had originated from, the Ketaki answered that she had been set at the highest point of the

On his excursion upwards, Brahma ran over a Ketaki bloom floating down gradually. At the point when asked where she had originated from, the Ketaki answered that she had been set at the highest point of the red-hot section as advertising. Unfit to locate as far as possible, Brahma chose to end his hunt and take the bloom as a witness. At this, the irate Shiva uncovered his actual frame.

He rebuffed Brahma for telling a lie and reviled him that nobody could ever petition him. The Ketaki bloom too was restricted from being utilized as an offering for any love, as she had affirmed dishonestly. Since it was on the fourteenth day oblivious portion of the period of Phalguna that Shiva initially showed himself as a Linga, the day is particularly promising and is praised as Mahashivaratri. Revering Shiva on this day is accepted to give one bliss and success.

Shiva Puja ought to be finished amid night and lovers should break the quick following day in the wake of washing up. Lovers should break the quick amongst dawn and before the finish of Chaturdashi Tithi to get the greatest advantage of the Vrat. As per one conflicting conclusion lovers should break the quick just when Chaturdashi Tithi gets over. In any case, it is trusted that both Shiva Puja and Parana i.e. breaking the quick ought to be done inside Chaturdashi Tithi.

The story reviews the episode of beating the smooth sea by devas and asuras to get the nectar. Amid the fight, a pot of toxic substance left the sea which was flushed by Lord Shiva on the demand of divine beings to spare earth. Because of the solid toxic substance, the shade of Lord’s neck changed to blue. Along these lines, Lord Shiva is called Neelkanth, where ‘Neela’ implies blue and ‘Kantha’ implies neck or throat.

As a solution for this, Lord Shiva was encouraged to remain conscious amid the night, and subsequently, to keep him alert, the divine beings performed different moves and played music. Ruler Shiva was satisfied with their commitment and favored them all. Shivratri celebration is praised every year remembering this occasion.

Legend of Shiva Linga As per this legend, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were in a pursuit to discover the Aadi (starting) and the Antha (end) of Lord Shiva. It is trusted that on the fourteenth day oblivious fortnight of the long stretch of Phalguna, Shiva showed himself as a Linga. This day is viewed as promising and is commended as Maha Shivratri. Enthusiasts commend this event by watching quickly amid the day and worshiping the Lord for the duration of the night.

Why celebrate Shivaratri Festival

1. It is believed that the absolute formless God, Sadashiva appeared in the incarnation of Lingodbhav Moorti at the midnight of Shivaratri. So, all Shiva devotees keep awake all the night of Shivaratri and do Shivalinga Abhishek at the midnight. So, this day is celebrated as the origin of Lord Shiva. Worshipping Shiva on this day is believed to get happiness and prosperity in our life.

2. Shiva is the soul of everything. It is peace, infinity, beauty, and the non-dual one. Shiva and Soul mean the same. Ratri is to take refuge. So, Shivaratri is taking refuge in one’s own spirit. It is one of the best days to perform meditation because on this day, mind, intellect, and ego rest in the divine and we can get complete peace.

Simply, Shivaratri is taking refuge in the divine consciousness that brings peace and solace to all the layers of consciousness. So, it is the celebration of nature with the joy of the presence of kindness, truth, and beauty.

3. According to the Puranas(Hindu mythological stories), this day is one of the favorite days of Lord Shiva. When Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva which is his favorite day then he said that the 14^th day of Krishna Paksha is his favorite day.

Then, she passed this message to her friends who were later known by the prayers. It is believed that on this day Lord Shiva performed the Tandav dirty (a form of Dance). So, this day is considered one of the best days to worship Lord Shiva. Any wishes or prayers are believed to be fulfilled on this day.

4. A pot full of poison appeared from the ocean during Samudra Manthan. All Gods and demons were horrified as the poison could destroy the world. So, they went to Shiva asking for help. Shiva drank the whole deathly poison to protect the world from its evil effects.

He didn’t swallow it instead kept it in his throat. Due to this, his throat turned blue, and he was called by the name Neelakantha, the blue-throated one. So, Shivaratri is celebrated in the name of Shiva who saved the world. So, it is the day when we thank Lord Shiva for protecting the earth.

5. Shivaratri is one of the auspicious days for Hindu women. Generally, women who are married pray for the goodwill and prosperity of their husbands while those who are unmarried pray for the ideal husband like Lord Shiva as this is a day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. Anyone who chants the name of Shiva during Maha Shivaratri with pure devotion is believed to be freed from all the sins. It is believed that it will help to liberate from the cycle of birth and death.

In Nepal, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated all over the country by visiting the temples of Lord Shiva. Especially, Pashupatinath, situated in Kathmandu, is the main attraction of devotees since it is considered as the home of Lord Shiva and during this day, Somnath at is believed that Lord Shiva will visit the temple. Thousands of Hindus from all over the world, especially from different parts of India visit this temple on this day.

In India, the major Jyotirlinga Shiva temples of VaSamanthaare the sites for the special event and celebration of Maha Shivaratri. It is one of the most important festivals in Kashmir Shaivism where this day is celebrated as the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, before 3 or 4 days and lasts for two days after it.

This festival is not only limited to Nepal and India. It is also celebrated in some parts of the West Indies where there are more than 400 temples.

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In my previous article ‘’ Why to celebrate Shivaratri’, I have mentioned the significance of celebrating MahaShivaratri. I hope you have been quite familiar with this festival. Now, I expect you might have been wondering how to celebrate this festival. If you are then, here we are again with you describing the different ways to celebrate this festival.

Shivaratri has celebrated annually in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is mostly celebrated in different parts of Nepal and India and there are different ways of celebrating it. However, here are the common ways how people of Nepal celebrate this festival.

How to Celebrate Mahashivratri

1. Worshipping Lord Shiva as per Hindu norms and values

During MahaShivaratri, Lord Shiva must be bathed with water, milk, and honey. Then, bel petra is offered as it purifies the soul. Vermilion (a reddish-orange paste) is applied to the Shiva Linga after bathing. Different kinds of fruits are offered to the Linga followed by the Aarati and chanting OM NAVA SHIVAYA. In this way, Lord Shiva puja is performed according to Hindu norms and values. You can visit the nearby Lord Shiva temple to take part in the puja and hence, simply celebrate the festival.

2. Tradition of Cannabis (bhang)

bhang pakora "holi recipe" "shivaratri recipe"

MahaShivaratri is also considered the festival of cannabis. Since Lord Shiva is regarded as an ascetic god, this festival is very popular with ascetics. During the day, there is a tradition of taking cannabis by mixing in milk or any other drinks. Usually, Sadhus take it in the form of smoking. It is taken as the Prasad as cannabis are said to have been very dear to Shiva. Nowadays, the young generation is found to enjoy the taste of bhang and matures during the festival in the form of smokes, laddu or peda.

3. Fasting

Usually, Hindu women celebrate this festival by taking a fast. They worship Lord Shiva for the sake of the well-being and prosperity of their husband who are married and those who are unmarried worship for the ideal husband like Lord Shiva. So, you can celebrate this festival taking a fast. But it is very important to take care of your health. Nowadays, taking some fruits and water during fast is considered good as per health.

4. Doing Meditation

MahaShivaratri can be celebrated by doing meditation too as it is considered as one of the best days to grow spirituality. Generally, on this day, constellations are in some particular position. So, it is very auspicious to meditate at night on this day. And so it is very healthy and effective for people to keep awake the whole night and meditate on Shivaratri.

5. Burning fire

One of the best ways to celebrate Shivaratri is by a burning fire. Firewoods are burned during the night in the street and the devotees gathered in the fire. It is believed that the fire is supposed to attract Lord Shiva. So, people usually celebrate Shivaratri burning fires. We can see this normally in the street of Kathmandu during the festival.

Reference:

http://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/5483/why-do-we-celebrate-maha-shivratri-festival
http://www.chitrasfoodbook.com/2016/03/how-to-celebrate-maha-shivaratri.html
http://www.mahashivratri.org/shivaratri-celebrations.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri
https://www.artofliving.org/mahashivratri/significance-mahashivratri
https://www.quora.com/Why-do-we-celebrate-Shivratri
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/why-is-mahashivratri-celebrated-Shivratri-lord-shiva/1/613628.html
http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/p/mahashivratri.htm
http://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/india/maha-shivratri.php

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Author: Niraj Thapa Magar