Mahashivaratri celebrations in India are marked with immense devotion, colorful
rituals and religious fervor. The Hindus across the length and breadth of the
country celebrate the festival with gusto. Fasting and night vigil are the
highlights of Maha Shivaratri. The devotees would observe a stringent fast and
sing bhajans all through the night, during the festival. Special pujas are
performed in Lord Shiva temples. Right from the dawn of the day through the
night, the devotees observe a number of rituals on Mahashivratri. Go through the
following lines to know all about the traditions of Maha Shivaratri.
Maha Shivratri Customs & Traditions
Holy Bath
On Mahashivratri, the devotees wake up early in the morning and take a
ceremonious bath, by using black sesame seeds. It is believed that bathing
purifies one's body. Thereafter, they would offer prayers to Sun God, Lord
Vishnu and Lord Shiva, as a part of the purification rituals that is observed on
all the important Hindu festivals. After wearing new washed clothes, the
devotees would head towards the nearest Lord Shiva temple to worship the deity.
During the festival, the temples with Lord Shiva as the deity are flocked by
devotees. Special pujas are conducted on the day.
Rituals At Shiva Temples
Lord Shiva temples are thronged by devotees on the glorious occasion of
Mahashivaratri, because it is the day to honor the deity. The traditional Shiva
Linga pooja is performed, while the devotees seek blessings from the God. Holy
water (Gangajal) is poured over the Shiva Linga, as a part of the ritual.
According to the rituals prescribed in the Shiva Purana (mythology), Shiva Linga
is given a ceremonious bath with milk, yogurt, honey, sandalwood paste and rose
water, every three hours on Mahashivaratri. Therefore, the priest in the temple
would perform the ritual without fail. While performing the Abhishek, bells are
rung and the devotees would chant the names of Lord Shiva.
After the ritual of Abhishek is over, kumkum (vermilion) is applied on the Shiva
Linga, to mark the culmination of the previous ritual and pave the way for the
next. Traditionally, the leaves of Bilwa (Aegle marmelos) are used for the
performance of Shiva pooja. Therefore, a stalk of three Bilwa leaves is placed
on the top of the Shiva Linga. Jujube fruit is offered to the deity. Flowers and
garlands can also be offered to the Linga. Many devotees offer incense sticks
and fruits to the deity. Special pujas are performed in the temples, where
bhajans of Maha Shivaratri are sung.
Merrymaking is at its peak at the night of Maha Shivaratri. Devotees awake all
through the night of the festival. They spend the whole night in Shiva temples,
in the worship of the God. Singing of hymns, bhajans and verses in the praise of
Lord Shiva is one of the traditions of Mahashivaratri, besides the chanting of 'Om
Namah Shivaya'. Special food is prepared by using fruits, root vegetables and
coconuts. The devotees, who have observed the Mahashivratri vrat, would break
the fast early in the next morning by eating the prasad that was offered to Lord
Shiva, in the previous night.
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