Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri

Date:11March 2021

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance.The grand festival is celebrated on the occasion of overcoming darkness and ignorance. People fast, wear new clothes and worship Lord Shiva. Main temples of God are visited in Varanasi and Somnath.

👉Where: Mandi,Himachal Pradesh,Punjab,Gujarat,West Bengal,Nepal 

👉History:

The Maha Shivaratri is mentioned in several Puranas, particularly the Skanda Purana, Linga Purana and Padma Purana. These medieval era Shaiva texts present different versions associated with this festival, & mention fasting, reverence for icons of Shiva such as the Lingam.

It is also celebrated as the anniversary of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the Kashmiri and Himalayan regions.  The Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain is flocked by numerous devotees.

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in Tamil Nadu with great pomp and fanfare in the Annamalaiyar temple located in Tiruvannamalai district. The special process of worship on this day is 'Girivalam'/Giri Pradakshina, a 14-kilometer bare foot walk around Lord Shiva's temple on top of the hill. A huge lamp of oil and camphor is lit on the hilltop at sunset - not to be confused with Karthigai Deepam.

In Punjab, Shobha Yatras would be organised by various Hindu organisations in different cities. It is a grand festival for Punjabi Hindus.

In Gujarat, Maha Shivaratri mela is held at Bhavnath near Junagadh where bathing in the Mrugi (Mrigi) kund is considered holy. According to myth, Lord Shiva himself comes to bath in the Mrugi kund.

In West Bengal, Maha Shivaratri is observed devoutly by unmarried girls seeking a suitable husband, often visiting Tarakeswar.

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