Maha Shivaratri is the wonderful opportunity for the followers of Lord Shiva, to
praise the God and seek his blessings. In fact, for the devotees of Lord Shiva,
nothing is more important that fasting on Mahashivaratri, when it comes to
showing their honor and love to the deity. On the festival, people observe a
stringent fast, when they would not consume anything other than the diet
formulated especially for the occasion. It is said that if a devotee observes
fast on Mahashivratri, with sincerity, pure devotion and love, he/she would be
blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Check out more interesting
information about Maha Shivaratri vrat (fast) in the article.
Maha Shivratri Vrat
Significance
Hindu mythology suggests that the observance of vrat on Mahashivratri helps one
to attain control over the two great forces that afflict man - rajas guna (the
quality of passionate activity) and tamas guna (the quality of ignorance). When
the devotee observes a fast with discipline and spends the entire day at the
feet of Lord Shiva, his/her mind is controlled. Moreover, evils like lust, anger
and greed are subdued, thereby acquiring control over rajas guna. When he/she
wakes vigil throughout the night of Maha Shivaratri, he/she develops the ability
to conquer the evils of tamas guna too. Therefore, Mahashivratri vrat is
significant.
Fasting Rules
Traditionally, people who observe fast on Mahashivaratri would take bath early
in the morning, with warm water and black sesame seeds. However, nowadays,
people prefer to take a hot water shower, in the morning. By bathing, it is
believed that the bodily impurities are washed away. After wearing new laundered
clothes, the devotees would visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple to worship the
deity. The ritual of bathing Shiva Linga with milk and honey takes place in
temples of the diety, on the festival. While in the temple, the devotees would
sing devotional songs and bhajans, to invoke Lord Shiva. All through the day and
night during the festival, they would indulge in chanting of three words 'Om
Namah Shivaya'.
Food For Mahashivratri Vrat
A diet is followed by the devotees of Lord Shiva, on Maha Shivaratri. On the
day, they would abstain from food made with rice, pulses or wheat. However, the
devotees may eat fruits and drink tea, milk or coffee during the fast, if they
have not observed nirahar vrat (fast without the consumption of any form of
foodstuff). In the evening, after performing puja, they would break the fast by
eating rotis made of singhare ka atta (kuttu ka atta) and sabut dana kheer
(dessert made of sago). Sendha namak (rock salt) is used to cook food for the
fast. To offer the deity, people would prepare dishes such as potato pumpkin
pancakes, lauki ka halwa (sweet dish made of bottle guard), thandai etc.
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