Mahashivaratri the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is hailed with enthusiasm and ecclesiastical fervour in honour of Lord Shiva, one of the divinities of Hindu Trinity.
There are numerous fascinating mythologies associated with the celebration of Maha Shivaratri. According to one embodiment, Shivaratri captions the wedlock day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Many believe that it was on the favourable twilight of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva enacted the ‘Tandava’, the dance of conservancy and demolition. Next prominent belief relates that Shivratri myth affirmed in Linga Purana recounts that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva embodied himself in the contour of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extraordinarily propitious by Shiva proponents and they applaud it as Mahashivaratri – the imperial night of Shiva.
The Hindus all over the world perceive a hodgepodge of sermons on this day. An enormous inrush of followers can be seen at Shiva temples on this event and they devour the night there with blessings and chants. Find the details for Maha Shivratri 2020 Puja, Vrat & other traditions and rites.
Maha Shivratri 2020 – Auspicious timings and Fasting
Maha Shivratri ensues on the 14th night of new moon during the gloomy half of the month of Phalguna.
Mahashivratri 2020 falls on 21 February 2020( Friday)
The disciples should fast from the dawn of 21st, February to the next day in the morning I.e.22 February. Fruits can be eaten up during the fast.
Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 5:50 AM on February 21 and ends at 7:32 AM on February 22.
Nishita Kaal Puja (main puja) timings – 11:38 PM to 12:30 AM, February 22
Apart from the Nishita Kaal, one can perform puja during four Muhurtas, and they are as follows:
First Prahar – 5:31 PM to 8:47 PM
Second Prahar – 8:47 PM to 12:04 AM, February 22
Third Prahar – 12:04 AM to 03:20 AM, February 22
Fourth Prahar – 3:20 AM to 06:37 AM, February 22
Parana or time for breaking the fast – 6:37 AM to 7:32 AM, February 22.
On Maha Shivratri, believers keep a day-long vrat (fast) and halt it on the following day. They embark austerities and practise abstinence to review self-restraint and regulate over their connotations. Consumption of cereals and pulses in any form is strictly prohibited.
Followers can, however, have fruits, milk. The vrat also helps them focus on the Supreme power. And apart from assisting the body get rid of toxins, the idea of discerning a vrat also purifies the mind. Thus, it extricates a person of all the contaminants.
Spiritual Significance of Mahashivratri
Mythologies apart importance in the yogic beliefs is because of the probabilities it exemplifies to a sacred petitioner.
When we intonate Vedic mantras, these mantras fetch a huge modification in the atmosphere. It gives rise to piety to the atmosphere, positivity is heightened, awful karmas are eradicated, and festivity dawns within and in nature. That is why Rudraabhishekam has been performed for thousands of years. It is endorsed to chant/ listen to Rudra Puja on Mahashivratri.
Mahashivratri Festival is also contemplated to be an incredibly substantial celebration by women. Marital and bachelorette women observe fast and enact Shiva Puja with integrity to placate Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ – one who confers marital ecstasy and towering and affluent married life. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is considered as a favourable spouse.
Rituals
Offerings are carved to Shiva of wood apple leaves, fruit, cold water, flowers, sugarcane, sweets and milk, while some worshippers fast all day and night and others do reflective yoga.
During Shivratri, people discern fast and spend the whole night in the contemplation of the Lord while discerning surveillance and not plunging somnolent. Recreations like singing the applause of Lord Shiva, eavesdropping to the spectacular anecdotes of Shiva, strolling barefoot to the Shiva temple over the lengthy duration, touring as many Shiva chapels as feasible in one night, and many other pastimes take place during Shivratri.
In all Shiva temples, Shivratri puja seizes place throughout the night. Shivratri puja can be executed at homes. If Shivling is available at home, one can drench it with water from the Ganges; rose water, sandalwood paste, turmeric, sacred ash, coconut water, panchamrit, honey, fragrant paraphernalia, milk, curd and others. The whole night can be divided into segments and a holy bath can be performed. At the horizon of the puja, specially prepared dishes are offered to Shiva. Garlands, flowers, coconut, fruits, dry fruits, and others are offered to Lord Shiva. The puja concludes with an arati and distribution of prasad to the invitees and house units.
