Significance of Maha Shivaratri
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Maha Shivratri is an auspicious Hindu festival, which marks the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This year, the festival will be celebrated on March 8. The fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon is known as Shivratri. Among all the twelve Shivratris that occur in a calendar year, Mahashivratri, the one that occurs in February-March is of the most spiritual significance. Significance: Spiritual Awakening: Maha Shivaratri is a time for self-reflection, introspection, and meditation on Shiva, who embodies the principles of destruction and recreation. These are seen not as negative aspects but as necessary for the positive renewal of the universe and one's self. Marriage of Shiva and Parvati: Some traditions celebrate it as the night when Shiva and Parvati were married, symbolizing the union of the divine masculine and feminine, balancing the world's energies. Shiva's Cosmic Dance: Another belief is that it marks the occasion of Shiva's Nataraja form, performing the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Observances: Fasting: Devotees fast throughout the day and night, consuming only fruits, milk, and other specific foods permitted during fasting. Night Vigil (Jagaran): People stay awake all night, offering prayers to Shiva. This vigil is a spiritual practice meant to overcome darkness and ignorance in life. Rituals and Offerings: Worship involves special pujas, bathing the Shiva Lingam with milk, honey, water, and bael leaves, and chanting mantras, particularly the "Om Namah Shivaya". Visiting Temples: Many devotees visit Shiva temples or go on pilgrimage to Jyotirlingams, which are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. Cultural Impact:
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated widely in India, Nepal, and by Hindus around the world. The festival's observance varies from region to region but is universally seen as a time for devotion, prayer, and the renunciation of worldly desires in favor of spiritual growth. It brings together people from various walks of life to celebrate the profound and mysterious aspects of Shiva, fostering a sense of unity and purpose in the spiritual community.
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