Mahashivaratri is celebrated with gusto by the Hindus all over India. It is an
important day for the followers of Lord Shiva, as it honors their favorite
deity. The celebrations are marked by fasting and the observance of a number of
rituals. The festival is significant in many aspects. For instance, it bears
mythological importance, because Lord Shiva is considered one of the deities of
Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. On Maha
Shivaratri, the devotees of Lord Shiva observe a stringent fast, which is broken
only during the next morning, after prasad is offered to the deity. Know more
about the celebrations of Mahashivratri, in the article.
Maha Shivratri Festival Celebrations
In the Morning
The devotees of Lord Shiva wake up early in the morning to take a ceremonious
bath, after which, they would wear new clothes, smear bhasm (holy ashes) on
their forehead and head towards the nearest Lord Shiva temple to take part in
the celebrations. On the other hand, if they are at home, they would conduct a
puja in the morning, by offering Bilwa leaves, flowers and garlands to the deity
and thereafter, observe a fast for the entire day. A certain diet is formulated
especially for the day, which consists of fruits and beverages (including tea,
milk and coffee) as the food for the day.
Celebrations At Temple
Lord Shiva temples are decorated beautifully with festoons, on the wonderful
occasion of Mahashivaratri. Apart from the usual pujas of the temple, special
pujas are conducted to make the day different from the ordinary. On the
festival, as many as six types of Abhisheks can be witnessed, each using milk,
ghee, sugar, honey, water and sandalwood paste. The priest would chant mantras
and conduct the pooja, while the devotees would queue up to have a glimpse of
the rituals performed at the altar and offer prayers to the deity. The devotees
would often offer incense sticks, dhoop, Bilwa leaves and garlands to the
temple, which are offered to the Shiva Linga.
Celebrations In the Night
The merrymaking reaches its peak in the night of Mahashivratri, when devotees of
Lord Shiva would sing songs, bhajans, chant mantras and offer prayers to the
Almighty. The devotees would continue to observe their fast. In fact, they would
remain at the temple premises all through the night, to take part in the
keertans or jaagrans that are arranged by the temple authorities, for the
festival. The devotees are served tea occasionally, to keep them awake during
the night. Either the devotees themselves would sing the bhajans or professional
singers are called upon on the festival, to serve the purpose. The celebrations
of Maha Shivaratri would culminate only in the dawn of the next day, when the
devotees would break their fast by eating the prasad that was offered to the
deity in the previous night.
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