03/08/2024
𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢:
Today, 8 th March, marks the celebration of Mahashivratri., which is one of the most auspicious festivals in the Hindu religion. This great festival commemorates the convergence of Shiva and Shakti.
Devotees visit temples, worship Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, chant mantras and prayers, prepare bhogs, observe fasts and wish for Lord Shiva's blessings.
There are many legends associated with this holy Hindu festival:
𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲:
One of the holiest Hindu festivals, Maha Shivratri, commemorates Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati's marriage and many other cosmic events related to him.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva married Maa Shakti, his divine consort, for a second time on this night. It is in celebration of their divine union that the day is celebrated as 'The Night of Lord Shiva'. While Lord Shiva signifies Purusha - which is mindfulness, Maa Parvati signifies Prakriti - which is nature. The union of this consciousness and energy promotes creation.
Another legend says that during the creation of the universe, Lord Shiva was incarnated as Lord Rudra during the midnight of Maha Shivaratri with the grace of Lord Brahma. It is also believed that on this night, Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction when he heard the news of his consort Maa Sati's immolation. This heavenly dance is known as Rudra Tandav among his devotees.
According to Drink Panchang, during the churning of the great ocean, poison came out of the sea. It had the power to destroy the whole creation. However, Lord Shiva drank the poison and saved the whole world from annihilation. Hence, Maha Shivaratri is observed by Lord Shiva's devotees to thank him for preserving the universe.
