MAHA SHIVRATRI 2022: This year, Maha Shivratri will be observed on Tuesday, March 1.
Maha Shivratri 2022 Date and Time: Dedicated to the God of Destruction, Maha Shivratri is believed to be the convergence of Lord Shiva and his Goddess Shakti - the balancing of the universe by masculine and feminine energies. This time Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 1.
Drik Panchang suggests that Chaturdashi Tithi will start at 3.16 am on Tuesday and end at 1.00 am on Wednesday (March 2). On this day, Shiva is worshiped during Nishita Kaal or midnight. Puja timings are on Wednesdays between 12.08 pm to 12.58 pm.
Shivratri Rituals
On this day, devotees observe a fast to please Shiva and seek his blessings. The Drik Panchang says on Trayodashi - the day before the Shivaratri fast - people should eat only once. After completing the morning rituals on Shivratri, they should take a vow to observe a fast for the whole day and take food the next day only.
Shivratri History and Significance
According to legend, Maha Shivaratri celebrates the day when Shiva first came into existence in the form of 'Linga'. Therefore, on this day, a devotee is expected to take a bath again in the evening before going to the temples for worship.
People usually pour milk on the Shiva Linga, while unmarried girls are expected to fast to be blessed with a match equivalent to the Lord.
Marriage of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva
According to the most popular Maha Shivratri legend, this day marks the marriage of Shiva with Goddess Shakti (Parvati), wife of Shiva.
After the death of his wife Sati, Shiva lived like a monk. He was absorbed in meditation and did penance. Sati was reincarnated as Parvati to win her husband's heart again. She did severe penance for years and seeing her dedication, Shiva accepted her as his wife.
They got married on 14th of Shukla Paksha in Falgun.
Lord Shiva and the churning of the ocean:
In another, the Asuras and the Devas churn the ocean or ocean to obtain Amrit (divine nectar) to attain immortality. Halahal or poison came out during the churning of the ocean.
The poison was so toxic that it could destroy the entire creation. As for the universe, the deity approached Shiva, who alone could have consumed the poison.
Shiva immediately agreed to consume Halahal. Fearing that the poison might harm him, Parvati held her neck with her hands, preventing Halahal from going down her throat. Though the poison failed to harm Shiva, it turned his neck blue. For this reason Shiva is also known as Neelkanth.
Shiva Linga
According to the Puranas, an argument between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma over their supremacy caused unrest in Devaloka, forcing the gods to reach out to Shiva for help. In order to make Vishnu and Brahma realize that an even supreme power is ruling over them, Shiva appears as a lingam in a fiery flame and challenges the two to trace the beginning and end of a beam of light. Gave.
Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and went underground, while Brahma turned into a swan to fly upwards. The search was so exhausting that Brahma persuaded the Ketaki flower to trace its origins and see its "achievement" of conveying the message to Vishnu.
Shiva appeared in his full form from Punj at this time. Realizing that their argument was meaningless, Brahma and Vishnu bowed to Shiva.