Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri 2024: Held every year in honor of Lord Shiva, Mahashivratri is a Hindu holiday. It is regarded as the most holy day to worship Lord Shiva throughout the year. Witnessing this event in India, devotees travel from all over the world to visit different Shiva temples. People gather water from various Ganga sources and serve Lord Shiva pure Ganga Jal on this auspicious day.

The festival is scheduled on March 8 this year. In several Indian states, Mahashivratri is observed. In addition to fasting, followers practice abstinence, pray, and meditate all day long in an effort to achieve spiritual enlightenment and divine rewards.

Devotees of Lord Shiva flock to temples where they give prayers, carry out rituals, and take part in vigils lasting all night, called "Jagaran," during which they chant hymns and sing devotional songs in honor of the Lord.

Mahashivratri is a fortunate period.

The Chaturdashi Tithi (fourteenth day) in 2024 will start at 9:57 p.m. on March 8 and end at 6:17 p.m. on March 9. On March 9, the Nishita Kaal Puja Time will start at 12:07 am and terminate at 12:56 am.

Because it is associated with Lord Shiva's heavenly dance, the Tandava, which represents the never-ending cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction, the night of Mahashivratri is seen to be especially auspicious. Visits to Shiva temples are customarily marked with offerings of "bilva" leaves, milk, honey, and water to the deity's famous lingam, which stands for purity and devotion.

Mahashivratri's past

Mahashivratri has its roots in ancient Hindu scriptures, including the Puranas, which tell the story of the ocean churning, or Samudra Manthan. Hindu mythology states that a pot of poison rose from the ocean at this celestial occurrence, threatening to wipe out life as we know it.

Lord Shiva turned the world blue by drinking the poison and holding it in his throat in a selfless attempt to save creation. This selfless deed represents the spirit of Mahashivratri and the strength of spiritual devotion as well as the victory of virtue over vice.

Spiritual Importance

Mahashivratri is a worldwide emblem for the values of transcendence, balance, and harmony that cut across all religious barriers. It reminds followers of the transient nature of life and the cycle of existence, inspiring them to welcome change, let go of attachments, and pursue inner reform.

For yogis and those pursuing self-realization, the celebration has great spiritual significance as well because it is said that on this night, the body's energy centers, or "chakras," align with cosmic energy, promoting enlightenment and spiritual awakening.

Maha Shivaratri holds special significance in Hinduism's Shaivism tradition. Maha Shivaratri is a nighttime celebration, in contrast to the majority of Hindu holidays, which take place during the day. Maha Shivaratri is a solemn occasion distinguished by its introspective focus, fasting, meditation on Shiva, self-study, societal harmony, and an all-night vigil at Shiva temples, in contrast to most Hindu holidays that involve expressions of cultural exuberance.

Shaiva Hindus commemorate this night as "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in one's life and the world through Shiva, and part of the event involves keeping a jagarana, an all-night vigil and prayers. Shiva is worshipped with fruits, leaves, sweets, and milk offerings. Some people also engage in meditative yoga and fast throughout the day in a Tantric or Vedic ceremony. Within Shiva temples, the

Maha Shivaratri is a time when people visit India's great Jyotirlinga Shiva temples, like Varanasi and Somanatha. Additionally, they host fairs and other special events.

Mahashivaratri is one of the most significant and lavishly celebrated holidays in Karnataka. To participate in the rites, the fervent worshippers attend temples while they are awake all night. Devotees from all over the state and its bordering states swarm popular temple attractions including Dharmasthala, Murudeshwara, Gokarna, Nanjangud, Male Madeshwara Hills, Kadu Malleshwara, Kotilingeshwara, and Mylaralingeshwara. Replicating the celebrations of the Isha Foundation, the Adiyogi Shiva temple in Chikkaballapur was opened on January 15, 2023.