MAHA SHIVA RATRI POOJA,

MAHA SHIVA RATRI

Shiva Raatri is one of the most important festivals of Hindus throughout the world. It is observed every year on the 13th day (Triodasi) of the dark half (Krishna Paksh) of the month of Phalgun (February-March).

Shivraatri literally means “The night of Shiva”. The celebration is called MAHA SHIV RAATRI, which distinguishes it from MAAS SHIV RAATRI (monthly worship) or DAINIK SHIV RAATRI (daily worship). Maha Shiva Raatri means then, the Great Night of Shiva. Why is this night so special? Are the other nights of Shiva’s worship meaningless or insignificant?

Some thinkers suggest that it is on this auspicious night; Bhagwan Shiva rewards His devotees with “certificate of satisfaction”. Throughout the year, we evolve ourselves in prayers, poojas, in meditation, in chanting and more importantly we attempt to obey the instructions of our Lord. How well have we done is the assessment of the Lord Himself. Have we fulfilled His expectations? Have we practiced Adweshtaa - bearing ill will for no one? Karuna - compassion to all? Nirahamakarah – release from the feeling of “selfishness”? Kshama – forgiveness? On Shivraatri night we analyze ourselves and we scrutinize our spiritual progress. Indeed we reflect on the fleeting nature of our earthly existence. In our mad onrush we pause and crave for His divine grace.

While the celebration varies in its elaborateness from person to person, Mandir to Mandir and country to country, the commonality exists in its blanket of chanting, fasting, and poojas. To many it is considered a VRAT, a term that embraces fast and self-denial for a short period of time during which the celebration lasts. Vrat purifies the body and mind in preparation for the rituals that follow.

Ideally on Shiva Raatri Night, poojas are done on four separate occasions from 6pm to 6am at intervals of three hours. Special Prasad is offered to the Murti and worship is done to the Shiva Lingam. An all night vigil is kept interspersed with Bhajans, Kirtans and Dhoons.

 OM NAMAH SHIVAY

Requirements for Shivratri Puja

• An image, picture or idol of Shiva. Or a Shivalingam.
• Bilva Leaves
• Water
• Other normal puja items like lamp etc

Prayers for Shivratri

You can chant any one or more of the prayers dedicated to Lord Shiva or simply chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya.’

Fasting on Shivratri

Most people fast for the entire day. But if you are unable to keep fast for 24-hours, then you can always opt for a single vegetarian diet or fruit or juice diet. If you are under medications, don’t attempt to fast and take proper advice from your doctor, if you intent on fasting.

Time of Prayer during Shivratri

The entire day is dedicated to Lord Shiva. So you can start the prayers from the morning by visiting a Shiva temple. Most Shiva devotees start the prayers in the evening after 20:00 hrs and continue till 04:00 hrs in the morning. The reason is that Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared during this period in a form that the human eye can accommodate.

How to do Shivratri Puja?

• Wake up early and take bath
• Apply ash on the forehead.
• Light a lamp before the Shiva idol
• You can offer Bilva leaves.
• If you have a Shivling, bathe it with water.
• Bhasma or Ash is the tilak applied by Shiva devotees.

Fast all the day.

Remain silent and meditate.

• Bathe in the evening and light a lamp
• Offer Bilva leaves and bathe the Shivling with water.
• You can offer Bilva leaves and bathe the Shivling as many times as you want.

If you plan to stay awake during the night, you can perform the puja at regular intervals and keep chanting Shiva mantras. or remain silent and meditate.

Most devotees visit a nearby Shiva temple and stay at night there worshiping Mahadeva.

The End of Shivratri Puja

You can complete the Shivratri puja at about 0500 hrs early morning. Perform bath and offer simple prayer and you can break your fast.

The Mahashivratri fasting begins on the morning of Shivratri and ends next day morning or the Amavasya morning. Since it is a long Upvaas or Vrat, many people consume a special meal known as ‘phalar.’

• Devotees wake up before sunrise and take bath and wear clean clothes.
• Applying of sacred ash, or vibhuthi, is an important aspect on the day. People also wear a Rudraksha Mala.
• The idols of Ganesh, Shiva and Parvati are cleaned and a lamp is lit.
• Most people then visit a nearby Shiva temple. In most places, Shivratri is largely observed in temples.
• Some people observing fast consume a mid-day meal consisting of non-cereal food such as boiled potatoes which is made into a curry without onion, garlic, adarak or haldi. Another food eaten on the day is pakori or Kutt Singahri ki puri.
• Most devotees go for a fruit diet and drink lots of water.
• No meal is eaten after sunset.
• Next meal is taken on the morning of Amavasi after doing puja and giving alms.
• The entire night is spend in a nearby Shiva temple or by chanting Mantras or listening to stories related to Shiva.
• Some of the important mantras that are chanted on the day include:
• Shiva Panchakshari Mantra – Om Namah Shivaya or chanting the sacred names of Lord Shiva.
• People who have a Shivling at home can bathe the Shivling with water intermittently throughout the night.

All the rituals on the night of Shivratri are meant to cleanse the ignorance and realize the Brahmn manifest in you. The fasting, rituals and chanting are meant to kill desire, greed, illusion, arrogance, jealousy, and anger. This will make you a better person and prepare you to face the challenges.