Why is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?

Why is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?

There are several legends associated with Maha Shivratri. Some devotees worshipping Shiva on this day to absolves them of their sins, while some celebrate the festival to commemorate the union of Shiva and Paravati. It is believed that Shiva and Paravati were wedded on this day.

Another legend associated with Shivratri says that when the world was nearing destruction or pralaya, Goddess Paravati prayed to her husband to save the world. Shiva acceded to his wife’s pleas and to thank him, Goddess Paravati named the night Maha-Shivratri which has since then been celebrated every year.

In another legend, Maha Shivratri finds its traces in the Samudra Manthan or the great churning of the oceans which begot a pot of amrit , and along with it came halahal poison (which was so deadly that it could annihilate the whole universe). All the Gods and Goddesses collectively could not muster the courage to even touch the poison for the fear of death. So they requested Shiva to save them. It was Shiva who consumed the poison, held it cleverly in his throat and saved the world from the catastrophe. Since then, Shivratri is celebrated to express gratitude to Lord Shiva for saving mankind.

Hara Hara Mahadev Shambhu Kashi Vishwanath Gange ~ Hari Om Tat Sat 💀👁💀

Maha Shivratri 2018: Date, Significance and Rituals

Maha Shivratri 2018: Date, Significance and Rituals

Maha Shivratri – the Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva – is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagha or Phalguna according to the Hindu calender. Shivratri literally translates to “The Great Night of Lord Shiva”.

This year the festival will be celebrated on Tuesday, 13 and 14 February.

MAHA SHIVARATRI MUHURTA

According to drikPanchang, the muhurta or mahurat for Maha Shivratri 2018 is as follows:

Chaturdashi Tithi Begins at 22:34 on 13 February

Chaturdashi Tithi Ends at 00:46 on 15 February!

Nishita Kaal Puja Time = 23:58 to 24:47+
Duration = 0 Hours 49 Mins

On 14th, Maha Shivaratri Parana Time = 06:35 to 15:16

Ratri First Prahar Puja Time = 18:10 to 21:16
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time = 21:16 to 24:22+
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time = 24:22+ to 27:29+
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time = 27:29+ to 30:35+

How to read 24+ time?
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins = 22:34 on 13/Feb/2018
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends = 00:46 on 15/Feb/2018

So this year Mahashivratri is Falling on 2days 13th & 14th February!

And the main Ratri Jagran, Ratri-Puja and Fasting day is 14th February according to some priests !

Hara Hara Mahadev Shambhu Kashi Vishwanath Gange 🔱👁🔱

Shubh Prabhat 🙏🕉🙏

The mayura, or the peacock, was created from one of the feathers of Garuda, a carrier of Lord Vishnu.

The mayura, or the peacock, was created from one of the feathers of Garuda, a carrier of Lord Vishnu. According to a number of Hindu scriptures, it is a symbol of the cycle of time. It's also believed that peacocks once had dull tail feathers. In a battle between Ravana and Lord Indra, the bird spread its feathers wide open, to allow Indra to hide behind them and thus wage a war. Indeed, it was able to save Indra, in return for which, the god made the peacock feathers iridescent. Incidentally, Indra is often depicted seated on a peacock throne.
The peacock is also identified with Maa Lakshmi. That is why people keep peacock feathers at home, believing that they will bring wealth and prosperity into the house. Lord Krishna also wears a peacock feather on his crown.

Lord Kartikeya uses the peacock as his vahana. His vehicle peacock, a pious bird grips with its feet a serpent. His peacock symbolizes him as the conqueror of sensual desires and a destroyer of all bad habits.

The peacock is considered to be a bird of protection and safe guarding. This bird is also valued as a protection for the psychic self. Thus, the peacock feather within a home is said to safeguard the energy in the environment.

In Hinduism, when god Indra transforms himself into an animal, he becomes a peacock. The peacock is believed to have a thousand eyes in its feathers. It is believed that the peacock has angels’ feathers, a devil’s voice, and the walk of a thief. But Hindus believe it is not only the mount of Kartikeya, but also of Maa Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning. It is also the vehicle of Maa Lakshmi and Brahma Ji. When mounted by kama, the god of love, it represents desire. Hindu gurus are fond of using peacock feathers during their discourses, so as to pass on their aura to their followers! 🌈🎨🌈

MAHASHIVRATRI IS ON 14th March 2018

MAHASHIVRATRI IS ON 14th March 2018

*Chaturdashi Tithi Begins* = 22:34 on 13/Feb/2018
*on the night of 13th March*

*Chaturdashi Tithi Ends* = 00:46 on 15/Feb/2018
*on the morning of 15th March*

So this year Mahashivratri is Falling on 2days 13th & 14th March *(Valentine's Day)* 😊

🔥 *But remember the main Ratri Jagran, Ratri-Puja and Fasting day is 14th March* 🔥

Note the timings of *Ratri-Prahar Puja* which *stats 14th evening at 5:28pm:*

1) Ratri First Prahar Puja Time = 17:28 to 20:39

2) Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time = 20:39 to 23:50

3) Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time = 23:50 to 03:01+

4) Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time = 03:01+ to 06:12+

*On 15th, Maha Shivaratri Parana Time:* = After 06:12am

So you can break your fast on 15th March after completing your fourth Puja and can break your fast anytime after 06:12am

Hindus worship God according to their level of understanding.

Hindus worship God according to their level of understanding. Some worship the highest God, some worship the village deities. Some worship a personal god believing him to be the Highest God. Some worship many gods simultaneously, with the belief that they all are the different manifestations of the same God. Some worship Him by chanting His name. Some make Him offerings of food and money. Some offer themselves completely. Some do not offer Him anything, but just worship Him either out of fear or want. Some do not worship Him at all, but still remain within the fold of Hinduism. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism are real beings. They are unquestionably and undoubtedly manifestations of God Himself, who exist in space and time, not as a figment of our imagination or superstition, but as real beings capable of miraculous deeds.

In the land of God, there are no quick fix formulae, no instant nirvana with a few scriptural studies. Can there be just one path to an ocean or only one way to reach any destination? If God is everywhere and is hidden in every thing, we must be able to find Him every where and in every form. Otherwise we are pursuing not God but something else.

In Hinduism there are many schools of thoughts and many layers of thoughts, because Hinduism is a product of man's freedom of thought and of action. A constantly evolving and flowering religion, with many streams of thought assimilated in it, it is a product of mankind's history - a synthesis of many experiences and thought processes that make it extremely complex, but generously tolerant and lenient. It views the world as a playground of God where man has to resolve his illusions and pettiness and find the Hidden God. And it gives enormous time and opportunity to each individual to find Him in his or her own way. Some find Him. Some do not. Some do not bother at all and try to find something else: money, happiness, relationships, name, fame and so on. Hinduism waits for them patiently, knowing well the inevitable. 🕉✨🕉

Hari Om Tat Sat ~ Har Har Mahadev ❤️🕉🙏
Shubh Prabhat 🕉🌀🕉

Shiva is a complex character, he may represent goodness, benevolence and serve as the Protector but he also has a darker side as the leader of evil spirits, ghosts and vampires and as the master of thieves, villains and beggars.

Shiva is a complex character, he may represent goodness, benevolence and serve as the Protector but he also has a darker side as the leader of evil spirits, ghosts and vampires and as the master of thieves, villains and beggars. He is also associated with Time, and particularly as the destroyer of all things. Nevertheless, Shiva is also associated with creation. In Hinduism, the universe is thought to regenerate in cycles (every 2,160,000,000 years). Shiva destroys the universe at the end of each cycle which then allows for a new Creation. Shiva is also the great ascetic, abstaining from all forms of indulgence and pleasure, concentrating rather on meditation as a means to find perfect happiness. He is the most important Hindu god for the Shaivism sect, the patron of Yogis and Brahmins, and also the protector of the Vedas, the sacred texts.

In Asian art Shiva may be represented in slightly different ways depending on the particular culture: Indian, Cambodian, Javanese etc. but he is most commonly depicted without cloths, with multiple arms and with his hair tied up in a topknot, three horizontal stripes and a third eye on his forehead. He wears a headdress with a crescent moon and a skull (representing the fifth head of Brahma, which he decapitated as punishment for the god lusting after his own daughter Sandhya), a necklace of heads, and snakes as bracelets. In this guise he usually represents Nataraja and dances the Tandava within a circle of fire which represents the never-ending cycle of time. He holds the divine fire (agni) which destroys the universe and the drum (damaru) which makes the first sounds of the creation. One hand makes the calming abhayamudra gesture and another points to his left foot, symbol of salvation. He also stamps one foot on the dwarf figure Apasmara Purusha who represents illusion and who leads men away from truth.

Shiva may also be depicted standing on one leg with the right leg folded in front of the left knee and holding a rosary in his right hand, the typical posture of ascetic meditation. 💀👁💀

The entire body of water the size of the Pacific Ocean can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, all the negativity in the world can’t bring you down unless you allow it to get into your head.

The entire body of water the size of the Pacific Ocean can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, all the negativity in the world can’t bring you down unless you allow it to get into your head. ✨🌀✨Namaste Beautiful Souls. It's time for Wednesday wisdom. 🕉👁🕉 Yes, remember that you have full control over what you choose to believe. You can effectively defend yourself against all kinds of negativity by adopting simple, yet powerful, beliefs that support a positive outlook in the face of seemingly negative circumstances. "What other people say about me is their problem, not mine" Don’t take other people’s negativity personally. They behave like this to everyone. What they say and do is a projection of their own reality. Life isn’t perfect, but it sure is great. Our goal shouldn’t be to create a perfect life, but to live an imperfect life perfectly. Every day is a gift. Never treat life casually. And don't expect life to be wonderful all the time, it is like wanting to swim in an ocean in which waves only rise up and never come crashing down. When you recognise that the rising and crashing waves are part of the exact same ocean, you are able to let go and be at peace with the reality of these ups and downs. It becomes clear that life’s ups require life’s downs. Lose the expectation, Enjoy the challenge of your achievements. See the value in your efforts and be patient with yourself. And realise that patience is not about waiting, it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while working hard on your dreams. Happiness starts with you, not with your relationships or not with your job. Regardless of the situation you face, your attitude is your choice. If you realised how powerful your thoughts were, you would try your best to never think another negative thought again. And yes, Surround yourself with people who lift you higher, those who see the great potential in you, even when you don’t see it in yourself. Love, Peace & Blessings to All ✨👁🕉💀🔱🌀⌛️📿🐍🌙🐚🔔🎨✨

Hari Om Tat Sat ~ Boom Shankar 🙏🏻🌀🙏🏻