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Monday, March 7, 2016

Maha Shivaratri

http://static.drikpanchang.com/images/festivals/maha-shivaratri/ladies_maha_shivaratri_puja.jpgFor members of the Hindu community, Shivaratri is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. PHOTO: EXPRESS.
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2016 Maha Shivaratri Puja Timings for Karachi, Pakistan

Maha Shivaratri

7th
March 2016
(Monday)
Maha Shivaratri Pujan
Maha Shivaratri Pujan

Maha Shivaratri Muhurta


Nishita Kaal Puja Time = 24:17+ to 25:06+
Duration = 0 Hours 49 Mins
On 8th, Maha Shivaratri Parana Time = 06:51 to 10:04
Ratri First Prahar Puja Time = 18:33 to 21:37
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time = 21:37 to 24:42+
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time = 24:42+ to 27:46+
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time = 27:46+ to 30:51+
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins = 12:50 on 7/Mar/2016
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends = 10:04 on 8/Mar/2016
Note - 24-hour clock with local time of Karachi & DST adjusted for all Muhurat timings (if applicable)
Maha Shivaratri 2016

Shivaratri is great festival of convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in month of Magha is known as Maha Shivaratri according to South Indian calendar. However according to North Indian calendar Masik Shivaratri in month of Phalguna is known as Maha Shivaratri. In both calendars it is naming convention of lunar month which differs. However both, North Indians and South Indians, celebrate Maha Shivaratri on same day.

Vrat Vidhi – One day before Shivaratri Vratam, most likely on Trayodashi, devotees should eat only one time. On Shivaratri day, after finishing morning rituals devotees should take Sankalp (संकल्प) to observe full day fast on Shivaratri and to take food next day. During Sankalp devotees pledge for self-determination throughout the fasting period and seek blessing of Lord Shiva to finish the fast without any interference. Hindu fasts are strict and people pledge for self-determination and seek God blessing before starting them to finish them successfully.

On Shivaratri day devotees should take second bath in the evening before doing Shiva Puja or visiting temple. Shiva Puja should be done during night and devotees should break the fast next day after taking bath. Devotees should break the fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to get maximum benefit of the Vrat. According to one contradictory opinion devotees should break the fast only when Chaturdashi Tithi gets over. But it is believed that both Shiva Puja and Parana (पारणा) i.e. breaking the fast should be done within Chaturdashi Tithi.

Shivaratri puja can be performed one time or four times during the night. The whole night duration can be divided into four to get four Prahar (प्रहर) to perform Shiva Puja four times. Drikpanchang.com lists all four Prahar durations for staunch Shiva devotees who perform Shiva Pujan four times in the night. We also list Nishita time when Lord Shiva appeared on the Earth in the form of Linga and the time window to break the fast on next day.

Shivaratri is also spelled as Shivratri, Shivarathri and Sivaratri.


Maha Shivaratri
Shivaratri Shivalingam Abhishekam
worshipping Shiva Lingam on Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is one of the significant festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva. The day has many legends associated with it. According to most of the legends, the day of Maha Shivaratri is associated with Lord Shiva and many cosmic events related to Him took place on the very same day.

Maha Shivaratri Origin | Significance
There are several legends which are associated with Shivaratri. Few of the popular beliefs behind observing Maha Shivaratri are -
  • It is believed that during the creation of the universe, Lord Shiva was incarnated as Lord Rudra during the midnight of Maha Shivaratri with the grace of Lord Brahma.
  • It is believed that Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati on the very same day. The festival is observed as the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Hence, for many Shiva devotees, Shivaratri is observed as the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
  • As per Hinduism, the creation and the destruction of the universe is a cyclic process. When the time comes, Lord Shiva destroys the whole creation with the fire of His third eye while performing the cosmic dance known as Tandava. It is believed that it is the day of Maha Shivaratri when Lord Shiva does the Tandava. Hence, Maha Shivaratri marks the anniversary of cosmic dance performed by Lord Shiva.
  • It is believed that during the churning of the great ocean the poison also came out of the sea. It had the power to destroy the whole creation. Lord Shiva drank the poison and saved the whole world from annihilation. Hence, Maha Shivaratri is observed as the thanksgiving to Lord Shiva.
  • The day of Maha Shivaratri is considered the most favorite day of Lord Shiva. Hence devotees worship Lord Shiva and observe a day and night long fast to please and to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva on His favorite day.
Maha Shivaratri Deity(s)
Lord Shiva is the main deity of Maha Shivaratri. Lord Shiva in the form of Lingam is worshipped on the auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri.

Maha Shivaratri Date and Time
As per Purnimanta calendar Maha Shivaratri is observed on -
Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi (14th day) during Phalguna (12th month)

As per Amanta calendar Maha Shivaratri is observed on -
Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi (14th day) during Magha (11th month)

It should be noted that in both calendars the day of Maha Shivaratri is observed on the same day. It is the nomenclature of lunar months which differs in both calendar.

Maha Shivaratri Festivals List
Maha Shivaratri is the day of austerity rather being the day of joy and merriment. Maha Shivaratri is observed for a single day and night.

Maha Shivaratri Observance
  • the day and night long fasting
  • worshipping Shiva Lingam
  • Abhishekam i.e. bathing the Shiva Lingam with water, milk and honey
  • offering Bel Patra i.e. wood-apple leaves to Shiva Lingam
  • offering white flowers to Shiva Lingam
  • night long vigil while chanting Shiva Mantra and Stotram
Maha Shivaratri Dishes
  • Bhang and Thandai
Maha Shivaratri Public Life
Maha Shivaratri is not a compulsory Gazetted Holiday in India. However, in most North Indian states one day holiday is observed on the day of Maha Shivaratri. In other states, most of the government offices and public places work as usual. In small towns where Shiva procession known as Shiva Ji Ki Barat is taken out of streets traffic might be affected or diverted to alternate routes.

However, one can expect serpentine queue of devotees at most Shiva temples on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Devotees waiting in the queue for their turn to offer Abhishekam is the common sight irrespective of size of the temple and city.

In the evening most Shiva temples offer especial Darshan of Shiva Lingam and thousands of devotees throng to Shiva temples to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivaratri Similar Festivals

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