|
Shivratri is one of the most popular religious festivals for Hindus in India yet it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and immense devotion in Uttar Pradesh. According to North Indian calendar Masik Shivaratri in month of Phalguna is known as Maha Shivaratri. By the name we can easily understand that this festival is dedicated to lord Shiva, the God of destruction. Since Lord Shiva is one among the Hindu Trinity (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiv), he is worshipped by almost every Hindu. On this pious day of Maha Shivratri, devotees wake up early and take a bath in the morning. After wearing fresh clothes, people take a visit to the nearest temple to worship lord Shiva. The worship starts with a ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with water or milk and after this they offer kumkum, Jujube fruit, leaves of Bilwa, flowers and fruits to the Shiva Lingum. Jaagran is also made in many Lord Shiva temples, where large numbers of devotees sing bhajans and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva for the blessings of Lord Shiva. This year Maha Shivratri 2013 is on Sunday, 10 March. Devotees also observe strict fast on Maha Shivaratri, generally people take only fruits and milk. Even some people do not drink a drop of water at the time of fast. All the devotees follow each and every ritual, customs and traditions related to Shivaratri festival. People believe that lord Shiva blessed them with happiness and prosperity and also releases a person from his sins and from the cycle of birth and death. Shivaratri History - There are many stories behind the celebration of Shivaratri festival. Some of them are listed below. Some people believe that Shivaratri marks the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. There is another version also, according to which Goddess Parvati performed tapas and prayers on the moonless night of Shivratri, for the well being of her husband. Another legend goes that on this day, when Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had a dispute over the beginning and the end of Lord Shiva, he manifested himself in the form of a ‘Lingum’ to portray that there is no beginning or end to his being. There is another very popular story behind Shivratri. At the time of Samudra Manthan, Lord Shiva consumed poison on this day in order to protect the world. So one should worship lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri for happiness of mind and prosperity in life. Author has a vast experience in article writing and publishing. You can get very useful information on Shivratri 2013 date, history of Maha Shivaratri, Maha Shivratri 2013 and celebration of Maha Shivaratri festival in India.
Related Articles -
Shivratri 2013, Shivratri 2013 Date, Maha Shivratri 2013, History of Maha Shivratri,
| 
