Maha Shivratri – the Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva – is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagha or Phalguna according to the Hindu calender. Shivratri literally translates to “The Great Night of Lord Shiva”.
This year the festival will be celebrated on Tuesday, 13 February.
Here are the dates, significance and legends associated to Maha Shivratri:
When is Maha Shivratri 2018?
Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on 13 February.
Maha Shivaratri Muhurta
According to drikPanchang, the muhurta or mahurat for Maha Shivratri 2018 is as follows:
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins at 22:34 on 13 February
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends at 00:46 on 15 February
Why is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?
There are several legends and beliefs associated with Maha Shivratri. Some devotees believe worshipping Shiva on this day absolves them of their sins, while some celebrate the festival to commemorate the union of Shiva and Paravati. It is believed that Shiva and Paravati were wedded on this day.
Another myth associated with Shivratri says that when the world was nearing destruction or pralaya, Goddess Paravati prayed to her husband to save the world. The God acceded to his wife’s pleas and to thank him, Goddess Paravati named the night Maha-Shivratri which has since then been celebrated every year.
In another legend, Maha Shivratri finds its traces in the Samudra Manthan or the great mythical churning of the oceans which begot a pot of poison (which was so deadly that it could annihilate the whole universe). All the Gods and Goddesses collectively could not muster the courage to even touch the poison for the fear of death. It was Shiva who consumed the poison, held it cleverly in his throat and saved the world from the catastrophe. Since then, Shivratri is celebrated to express gratitude to Lord Shiva for saving mankind.
How is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?
On Shivratri, Shiva devotees observe fast, worship the Shiva lingam with milk, honey bel, dhatura and flowers. Shiva temples are decorated on this day with devotees thronging the temple premises chanting Om Namah Shivay. Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra can also be heard in temples across the country on Maha Shivratri. Large processions of devotees with Shiva idols can also be seen in some parts of the country.
Nepal, Ujjain, Haridwar and Varanasi witness some of the grandest celebrations on Maha Shivratri. From Mahamrityunjaya temple of Daranagar to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, one can witness devotees, with horizontal lines of holy ash and rudraksh malas, thronging streets and temple premises to offer their salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Paravati.
The Shivratri fast is believed to get marital bliss hence, in several parts of the country women and unmarried girls can be seen observing the fast with much allure.
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