Mahashivaratri is one of the important Hindu festivals celebrated with religious
fervor across the length and breadth of India. Followers of Lord Shiva consider
the festival very special, as it is the time to show their love and devotion to
their favorite deity. It is significant in every devotee's life, as it also
tests ones ability to abstain from food (because fast is observed on the day)
and remain vigil in the night without sleeping (because one has to remain awake
all through the night, on Mahashivratri). In addition to this, Maha Shivaratri
bears significance in Hindu mythology. In the following lines, learn all about
the significance of Mahashivaratri.
Significance Of Maha Shivratri
Importance In Hinduism
According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva declared that the rituals performed
by his devotees on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun
please him the most. Therefore, year by year, the day is observed as
Mahashivratri, wherein devotees observe fast, sing songs and bhajans and offer
prayers to the Almighty to seek his blessings. Pujas conducted in Lord Shiva
temples during the day have significance too. This is because the rituals are
conducted strictly in accordance with the method that is prescribed in Shiva
Purana, a Hindu epic. According to the Purana, poojas are conducted once in
every three hours, on Maha Shivaratri.
Importance In Human Lives
It is believed that the devotion of Lord Shiva on Mahashivaratri would freed the
devotee from the past sins. Moreover, the devotee would reach the adobe of Lord
Shiva and live there happily, because he/she is liberated from the cycle of
birth and death, once he/she attains moksha or salvation. Therefore, all the
devotees of Lord Shiva would flock the temples to offer their prayers. To serve
the purpose, jujube fruits, stalks of Bilwa leaves, flowers and garlands are
offered to the Shiva Linga by the devotees. If the devotee celebrates the
festival at home, he/she would perform the Mahashivratri Puja by taking a holy
bath (in warm water) early in the morning, wearing new clothes and then smearing
bhasm (holy ash) on their forehead.
Importance For Women
Maha Shivaratri is especially important for women. Ladies, both married and
unmarried, would perform Shiva Puja and observe fast with great devotion and
sincerity. This is predominantly done to appease Lord Shiva along with his
consort Goddess Parvati, who is often called Ma Gauri. It is believed that Ma
Gauri bestows marital bliss on unmarried women and blesses the married women
with healthy and blissful married life. Since Lord Shiva is regarded as the
ideal husband by the Hindu women, the unmarried women would not miss to observe
the stringent fast on Shivaratri.
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