Shivaraatri Festival
Your online guide to the 2017 Shivaraatri Festival
Maha Shivaraatri
MAHA means great
RAATHRI means night
MAHA SHIVARAATRI means great night of SHIVA
On this great night people observe a fast and are continuously
praying and chanting the holy name of Namashivaya.
Shivaraatri starts at 6.00PM in the evening to 6.00AM the next morning. The night is divided into 4 Jaamams of 3 hours each. For each Jaamam the priest performs Abishegam for the Lingam.
Why is this done?
By sacrificing one’s sleep that alone is a big offering to Shiva.
It is also to thank him for his love and protection. It also
signifies our own alertness and vigilance to avoid falling into
clutches of evil vices.
It is a period when we should totally surrender to God to seek his
love and help to rid ourselves of impurities such as greed,
jealously, lust etc.
The Shiva Lingam is the universal symbol of Lord Shiva.
The Lingam is symbolic of both his formlessness and form.
The very concept of the Lingam denotes something that has neither a
beginning nor an end.
The all pervading formless Shiva as seen in the Lingam is the ever
pure undying soul residing the chamber of every heart.
God in reality is formless yet all forms are his forms.
SIGNIFICANCE
Maha
Shivaratri is celebrated throughout the world. Maha Shivratri falls
on the 14th day of the dark half of 'Margasirsa' (February-March).
The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place
chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord
Shiva and it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to
Parvati.
On this festival people worship 'Shiva - the Destroyer'. This night marks the night when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav'.
About The Lord
Shiva - the word meaning auspicious - is one of the Hindu Trinity, comprising of Lord Brahma, the creator, Lord Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva or Mahesh, the Destroyer and Re-Producer of life. Shiva is known by many names like "Shankar", "Mahesh", "Bholenath", "Neelakanth", "Shambhu Kailasheshwar", "Umanath", "Nataraj" and others.
For few people, Shiva is "Paramatman", "Brahman", the Absolute, but many more prefer to see Shiva as a personal
God given to compassion for his worshippers, and the dispenser of both spiritual and material blessings.
Related to the Absolute concept is Shiva as "Yoganath" meaning the Lord of Yoga, wherein he becomes teacher, path and goal. As such he is the "Adi Guru" or the Highest Guru of 'Sannyasins' who have renounced the world to attain the Absolute.
He is the most sought-after deity amongst the Hindus and they pray to him as the god of immense large-heartedness who they believe grants all their wishes.
Around him are weaved many interesting stories that reveal His magnanimous heart. Not only this, but these stories and legends also enrich the Indian culture and art.
Time is invisible and formless.
Therefore Mahakal Shiva, as per the Vedas, manifested himself as "LINGUM" to make mankind aware of the presence of Eternal Time.
That day when Shiva manifested himself in the form of "Lingum" was the fourth day of the dark night in the month of 'Magha' i.e. February-March. Maha Shivratri continues to be celebrated forever and ever.