Happy MahaShivaratri 2013

Date - 10th March 2013

Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Lord Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna (Feb / March) when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. 

This is an important day for the devotees of Shiva, who stay awake throughout the night, praying to him.

Devotees bathe the Shivalinga with milk especially auspicious for women. According to one myth, Parvati performed tapas, and prayed and Parvati meditated on this day to ward off any evil that may befall her husband on the moonless night. Since then, Mahashivaratri is also believed to be an auspicious occasion for women to pray for the well-being of their husbands and sons. An unmarried woman prays for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband. Devotees bathe at sunrise, preferably in the Ganga, or any otherholy water source (like the Shiva Sagartank at Khajurao). They offer prayers to the sun, Vishnu and Shiva. 

Some folklore also consider this to be Shiva’s day as this was believed to be the answer given by Lord Shiva when asked about his favorite day by Goddess Parvati.Lord Shiva married Maa Parvati on this day. This is the reason this day is considered very auspicious for good relations between husband and wife. 

 How to worship Lord Shiva on Mahashivaratri

What matters most is your devotion. You offer anything to Lord Shiva with full devotion according to your ability, He will accept it. However, if it is possible then you must abhishek Narmadeshwar Shiva Linga if you have it at your home or alternatively go to a temple and abhishek Lord Shiva with plain water or milk mixed water. Do not use copper vessel when you are offering milk mixed water or milk to Lord Shiva. Offer bel leaves, fruits, sweets and in addition you can have following six items in worship of Lord Shiva (Source Shiva Purana)

• Bathing the Linga with water, milk and honey, and Wood apple or bel leaves added to it, representing purification of the soul;
• The vermilion paste applied on the linga after bathing it, representing 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.

Recite this mantra from Shivmahimna Stotra which says: "O three eyed Lord, when the poison came up through the churning of the ocean by the gods and demons, they were all aghast with fear as if the untimely end of all creation was imminent. In your kindness, you drank all the poison that still makes your throat blue. O Lord, even this blue mark does but increase your glory. What is apparently a blemish becomes an ornament in one intent on ridding the world of fear."

Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the "Shiva Mahimna Stotra" of Pushpadanta or Ravana's "Shiva Tandava Stotra" are sung with great fervour and devotion. People repeat the 'Panchakshara' Mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya". He, who utters the names of Shiva during Shivratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims dock to the places where there are Shiva temples. 



"Om Namah Shivay"
Shivratri blessings to you and your family.
May the almighty Lord Shiva bless you
all with good things and perfect health.

"Jai Shree Krishna"

"Hari Om Tat Sat"

Acharya Vikas Malhotra

Astrologer, Numerologist and Spiritual Healer

{MBA, LLB, FCS, MA (Public Admn), FIII, JYOTISH VISHARAD} 
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