Maha Shivratri is primarily a Hindu festival honouring Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction, and is observed every year. According to the Hindu calendar, Shivratri is celebrated monthly of the luni-solar calendar, but yearly, in late winter, Maha Shivratri is observed to celebrate the approaching summer. Maha Shivratri literally means ‘the great night of Shiva,’ and as per legend, Lord Shiva performs his heavenly dance, or ‘tandav,’ on this night. From March 1 at 6:21 p.m. to March 2 at 6:45 a.m., the Mahashivratri puja can be performed. Those who will be fasting should begin their day by taking bath early in the morning during the Brahma Muhurat and pray to Lord Shiva while meditating.
Maha Shivratri 2022: History And Significance
Maha Shivratri is considered the most auspicious of the 12 Shivratris observed every year. Shivratri is said to be the night when Shiva and Shakti, the masculine and feminine energies that keep the planet in balance, come together. This is an important festival in Hindu culture that commemorates ‘overcoming darkness and ignorance in life.’ Throughout history, various tales have described the significance of Maha Shivratri, with one of them claiming that Lord Shiva performs his cosmic dance of ‘creation, preservation, and destruction’ on this night. Another legend states that presenting Lord Shiva’s pictures on this night can help a person in overcoming and letting go of their sins, allowing them to reach Mount Kailash and attain ‘moksha.’
Maha Shivratri 2022: Celebration
Maha Shivratri, unlike many Hindu holidays, is not a much cheerful occasion. This is a night for self-reflection and introspection with the goal of growing and letting go of everything that is getting in the way of our achievement. Maha Shivratri is observed by people all around the country, according to local customs. Some individuals hold pujas and jagrans in the morning, while others hold them in the evening. On Maha Shivratri, devotees also fast for the entire day, eating only the next day after taking bath. The fast is followed not just to obtain Lord Shiva’s blessings, but also to put one’s own determination to the test.