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| Meaning of Shiva Linga |
Shivratri or Maha Shivratri or Padmarajarathri
- Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva
- Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva
- It is celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha month of the Hindu calendar
- This festival is celebrated on the 14th day after the full moon in the month of Phalgun i.e. in the month of February/ March in the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha(waning moon)
- On Mahashivratri, Nishita Kala is the most perfect time to observe Shiva Pooja. On this day, in all Shiva temples, the most auspicious Lingodbhava puja is performed during this time
- The day is celebrated as the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati
- The Hindu devotees fast for the whole day and whole night and go to Shiva temples next day after their prayer
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| God Shiva |
- Millions of Hindus attend Shivaratri together from different part of the Globe at Famous Pashupatinath Temple. Thousands of devotees also attend Mahasivaratri at Different Famous Shiva shakti peetham of Nepal
- Lord Shiva and Parvati are deeply revered by the people of Mithila
- is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all-night-long vigil
- All through the day the devotees, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord "Om Namah Shivaya"
- the Lord Shiva's Favorite Day
Rituals of Maha Shivratri
- Very early morning, Shiva temples are flocked by devotees, young and old, who come to perform the traditional Shivalinga worship (puja) and hence hope for favors from the God
- Devotees bathe at sunrise, preferably in the Ganga, or any other holy water source (like the Shiva Sagartank at Khajurao)
- This is a rite of purification, which is an important part of all Hindu festivals
- Wearing clean clothing after the holy bath, worshippers carry pots of water to the temple to bathe the Shivalinga
- Women and men both offer prayers to the sun, Vishnu and Shiva
- The temple reverberates with the sound of bells and shouts of “Shankerji ki Jai” meaning 'Hail Shiva'
- Devotees circulate the lingam three or seven times and then pour water over it
- Some also pour milk over it
- According to the Shiva Purana, the Mahashivaratri worship must incorporate six items
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| Pashupatinath Temple of Kathmandu |
- Bathing the Shiv Linga with water, milk, and honey
- Wood, apple or bel leaves are added to, which represents purification of the soul;
- Vermilion paste is applied to the Shiv Linga after bathing it, this represents virtue;
- Offering of fruits, which is conducive to longevity and gratification of desires;
- Burning incense, yielding wealth;
- The lighting of the lamp which is conducive to the attainment of knowledge;
- And betel leaves marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures
- Wearing a mala (rosary) made from the Rudraksha seeds of the rudraksha tree (said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva) when worshiping Lord Shiva is ideal
- A rudraksha seed is mahogany-like color, or could sometimes be black
- They might also have traces of sacred sandalwood powder, turmeric, kumkum, or holy ash if the rosary is used in worship ceremonies or annointations
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| Shiva Linga |
Significance of Shivaratri
- is to get absolved of sins and attains moksha
- is also considered to be an extremely significant festival by women
- Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ - one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life
- Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband
