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Festival
Of Maha Shivratri
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 new moon in the Hindu month of
Phalgun, 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. |
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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 Shivratri 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. |
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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 Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual
bath, preferably in river Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes
devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath to the
Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.
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