Vageesh Express

Readers Articles

Significance of the Month of February in Hindu Calendar

The Hindu month of Maagha - Phalguna commences with the Maha Shivratri festival

Significance Maha Shivratri!

Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Shivratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is the night when he is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. The festival is observed for one day and one night only.

Origin of Shivratri

According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to protect the world drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known as Nilkantha, the blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event by which Shiva saved the world.

Shiva Rituals

Shivratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and Durga. But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva during Shivratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He or she reaches the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and death. On the day of Shivratri, a three-tiered platform is built around a fire. The topmost plank represents swargaloka (heaven), the middle one antarikshaloka (space) and the bottom one bhuloka (earth). Eleven urns or kalash, are kept on the swargaloka plank symbolizing the eleven manifestations of the Rudra Shiva. These are decorated with bilva (woodapple leaves) and mango leaves atop a coconut representing the head of Shiva. The uncut shank of the coconut symbolizes his tangled hair and the three spots on the fruit Shiva's three eyes.

People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even take a drop of water and they keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" continues. Offerings of Bael leaves are made to the Lingam as Bael leaves are considered very sacred and it is said that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them. Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the "Shiva Mahimna Stotra" of Pushpadanta or Ravana's "Shiva Tandava Stotra" are sung with great fervor and devotion. People repeat the 'Panchakshara' Mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya". He, who utters the names of Shiva during Shivratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims dock to the places where there are Shiva temples.

"Om Namah Shivaya!"

The phallus symbol representing Shiva is called the lingam. Devotees circumambulate the lingam and worship it throughout the night. It is bathed every three hours with the five sacred offerings of a cow, called the panchagavya - milk, sour milk, urine, butter and dung. Then the five foods of immortality - milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar are placed before the lingam. Dhatura and jati, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered to him. All through the day the devotees keep severe fast, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra "Om Namah Shivaya", make offerings of flowers and incense to the Lord amidst ringing of temple bells. They maintain long vigils during the night, keeping awake to listen to stories, hymns and songs. The fast is broken only the next morning, after the nightlong worship.

Worship in different Regions!

In Kashmir, since the majority of Kashmiri Pandits are followers of Shiv, this Mahashivratri festival is observed for 15 days. The 13th day is observed as a day of fast followed by a family feast. The 13^th day of this festival in Kashmir is known by the name of hearth which is celebrated with indescribable zest and joy. The Kashmiris believe that the marriage of Shiv and Parvati was celebrated on the day of Herath.

In West Bengal Shivratri has become almost a folk festival. Young unmarried girls observe day-long fast, keep awake the whole night, sing devotional songs and pray to Lord Shanker to give them good and virtuous husbands.

In Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh devotees of Shiv take holy bath at Sangam - the confluence of the three sacred rivers - Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati- with faith that all their sins in the past and present be washed away so that they can go to heaven after death. Magh Mela fair is also held in Allahabad.

In Maharashtra on this day of Shivratri every temple of Lord Shiv resounds with Vedic mantras and shlokas. These are recited during the Lord Shiv's "Abhishekh" which is the ritual bath given to the Shiv-Lingum. Fasting is observed, night vigil is kept, alms, food and sweets are distributed amongst the poor.

In India there are twelve "JYOTIRLINGAS" of Lord Shiv at twelve places that are sacred to the Hindus. It is believed that all these twelve Jyothirlingas are "Swayambhus" meaning that they sprung up by themselves at these places and afterwards only temples were built. Every Hindu believes that at least once in his life-time he must visit these twelve Jyotirlingas and then he will be absolved of all the sinful acts he may have done. The 12 jyothirlingas are - Somnath in Kathiawar, Shri-Shailya-Mallikarjun in the South, Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Omkarnath on the bank of river Jamuna, Parali-Vaijanath in Marathwada, Bhimashanker on the bank of Bhima river, Rameshwar in South, Naganath in Marathwada, Ghrusneshwar at Daulatabad, Kashi-Vishveshwar in Benares, Kedarnath in Uttar Pradesh, Trimbakeshwar in Nasik.

Sources: http://hinduism.about.com

	Submit feedback to newsletter@mahaganapati.org with subject line as <Reader Articles> Disclaimer: Views of readers/column writers are that of their own and not of the Temple