Maha Shivratri is a famous Hindu festival celebrated all over the country in the honor of lord Shiva.
The festival is celebrated on the 13th night/14th day of every luni-solar month according to the Hindu calendar. But once a year falls the great Maha Shivratri. This festival is celebrated I advance of the arrival of the spring season during the half of the month Phalguna (February/March). In all the Hindu temples such as Indian temples in Fremont, Ada, California, etc. in the USA, you will experience special preparations.
Three Major Reasons for Celebrating Maha Shivratri
The festival symbols overcoming the darkness and ignorance in life. And this is observed by remembering lord Shiva, practicing yoga and chanting prayers, contemplating ethics and fasting, and qualities of restraint, forgiveness and honesty. There are three main reasons behind celebrating this holy festival.
1.On the day of Shivratri, the absolute formless God Sadashiv appeared as “Lingodhav Morti” exactly at midnight. God as in his form as Vishnu made his appearance as Krishna at Gokul at midnight. This happened exactly after 180 days after Shivratri, known as Janmashtami.
Thus, the circle of the Hindu calendar is divided by these two auspicious days in the Hindu calendar.
2.Shivratri is also celebrated as the ritual wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva with Devi Parvati. It is said that Shiva minus Parvati is pure ‘Nirgun Brahman’. Along with his illusive power (Parvati), he becomes ‘Sagun Brahman’. This is another major reason why Indian temples in Torrence, California. Missouri, etc. celebrate this auspicious festival.
3.Another imperative reason behind celebrating Shivratri is that it is a thanksgiving to Lord from protecting humans from extinction. It is believed that on this day ‘Lord Shiva’ became ‘Neelkantham’ after swallowing the deadly poison that arose during the churning of “Kshir Sagar” or the milky ocean. This poison was so deadly that even a drop fell on his stomach (that represents the universe) would have annihilated the whole world. And this the reason why the lord kept the poison on the neck, which later turned blue.
Significance of Maha Shivratri
The festival is very significant for people who want to walk on the spiritual path of life. On this day, Lord Shiva became one with Mount Kailash. After doing meditation for years, Shiva became absolutely still. And that is why the Maha Shivratri night is considered as the night of stillness.
Celebrating Maha Shivratri means a celebration of darkness. Further, it also says that if your vision is small, you will see only the small things in life, while if you see the bigger things, you could experience in vast the emptiness. This vastness bounded by emptiness is referred as Shiva or Mahadev. The beauty and meaning of the festival are large and hence, the Indian temples in Ada, Montana, etc. celebrate it with utmost purity.
This is why every Indian loves going to the temples during this divine day. So, make sure you visit the nearest temple around your place.
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