Jyothishi

                                                                          Lord Shiva

                                                          Mahashivaratri Festival

Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna, which corresponds to the month of February – March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva.

Legends of Mahashivaratri

There are various interesting legends related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. Another popular Shivaratri legend stated in Linga Purana states that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees and they celebrate it as Mahashivaratri – the grand night of Shiva.

Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri

Various traditions and customs related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water. Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands, unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband.

To mark the Shivaratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in the river. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple and the Shiva lingam is bathed with the five sacred offerings of a cow, called the ‘Panchagavya’ – milk, sour milk, urine, butter and dung. Thereafter the five foods of immortality, namely, milk, ghee, curd, honey and sugar are placed before the Shiva lingam. Dhatura and Jati, though poisonous fruits, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered at his temple.

 On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. Every three hours priests perform ritual Pooja of Shiva lingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water amidst the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells. Nightlong vigil or ‘Jaagaran’ is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spends the night singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning that devotee break their fast by partaking Prasad offered to the deity.

This year in 2011, Mahashivaratri is celebrated on Wednesday, 02 March 2011 

Pradhosha

Pradhosha Pooja is one of the most important poojas performed to the  Lord Shiva. In Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha the evening of the Trayodashi (thirteenth moon day) between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. is called Pradhosha. Pradhosha time is especially meant for praying to Lord Shiva. Praying during that time will free us from our sins and gives us Moksha finally (hence the name Pradhosha). During Pradhosha time a special type of circumambulating called Soma Sutrapradakshinam is done.

Pradhosha Purana:

When Devas and Asuras were trying to get Amrutha (nectar) from the Ksheerabthi (Ocean Milk) using the serpent ‘Vasuki’ and the hill ‘Mandhara’, the terrible poison ‘Halahala’ came up. Every one got frightened and pleaded to Lord Shiva to rescue them. Lord Shiva consumed the poison and ordered Devas and Asuras to continue to churn the ocean. They resumed their effort and got ‘Amrutha’ on Dwadhashi (twelfth moon day). Without praying and thanking the God, Devas started dancing and celebrating their victory.

On Trayodashi (thirteenth moon day) they realized their sin of not praying to the God and pleaded for his forgiveness. Lord Shiva forgave them and danced between the horns of the Nandi (holy bull). That time is called Pradhosha. Whoever prays to Lord Shiva during that time, Lord Shiva fulfills their wishes and gives them’ Mukthi’

When Pradhosha falls on a Saturday then, it is called Mahapradosha or Shani Pradhosha

Jaya Ekadashi – 14 Feb 2011

( Courtesy – Mr MS Hebbar)