Maha Shivratri 2019 Date And Time:
This year the auspicious night of Maha
Shivratri falls on the 4th of March 2019. The Maha Shivratri Muhurta
for this year is as follows:
Maha Shivratri Nishita Kaal Puja
Time = 24:25 to 25:15, Duration = 0 Hours 49 Mins
On 5th, Maha Shivaratri Parana Time
= 06:59 to 15:46
Story of Maha Shivratri: Legends of Lord Shiva’s Great
Night:
A day before the new moon or the fourteenth
day of every lunar month is known as Shivratri. Mahashivratri is one of the
most significant Shivratris among all the other twelve Shivratris that occur in
a calendar year. Maha
Shivratri occurs in February-March and holds immense spiritual
significance. The ancient Holy Scriptures mentions many multiple legends which
are associated with the auspicious Maha Shivratri. According to a popular
legend, there was once a hunter, he wandered in the woods for days but could
not find anything that he could kill and eat. So, he climbed up the Wood-apple
tree and waited patiently in the hope to trace a deer. There was a Shiv lingam
beneath the Wood-apple tree, unaware of this fact; the hunter started throwing
leaves of the tree on the ground to attract the deer. These leaves fell on the
Shiv lingam and Lord Shiva was appeased with the Wood-apple leaves and with the
patience of the hunter. Lord Shiva appeared in front of the hunter and blessed
him with enhanced wisdom. From that moment, the hunter stopped eating meat.
According to another legend, once
Goddess Parvati prayed to Lord Shiva to save the Earth which was heading
towards imminent destruction. Pleased
with her prayers, Lord Shiva agreed to save the Earth by prophesying that the
people of the Earth would worship him with great admiration, respect and
devotion on this day. From that day, the night came to be known as Maha
Shivratri.
Shiva In Shiva Purana:
The Shiva Purana is one of the most
revered Sanskrit texts in Hinduism. It is also one of the eighteen Purana genres.
The Shiv Purana revolves around the Supreme, God of Gods, Lord Shiva and His
consort Goddess Parvati. The Shiv Purana
also revers all other Gods and Goddesses while focusing on Lord Shiva. The chapters in Shiva Purana contains Shiva-centered
cosmology, mythology, relationship between Gods, Yoga, ethics, Tirtha
(pilgrimage) sites, bhakti, rivers and geography, and other topics.
Why is it important to fast on Maha Shivratri
Fasting is one of
the prime procedures that any devotee of Lord Shiva follows on Mahashivratri
day. In India, most of the people fast on the day of Maha Shivratri. The
significance of this fast is that, it is observed all throughout the day and
night, unlike other Hindu festivals, where after performing the puja of
the deity, food is consumed. Detoxification and Purification of the body is done
through Fasting is important as it detoxifies the body and purifies the mind. Once
the body is detoxified and purified, the mind becomes alert and once the mind
is alert and at peace, one can meditate will full concentration.
Shiva Mantras
Lord
Shiva Prayer – I
Om Sarva Mangal Manglaye
Shivay Sarvaarth Sadhike
Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayaani
Namostu Te
Lord
Shiva Prayer – II
Om Namastestu Bhagavan
Visvesaraya Mahadevaya
Trayambakaya Tripurantakaya
Trikagni – Kalaya
Kalagni – Rudraya Nil –
Kanthaya Mrityunjaya
Sarvesvaraya Sadadhivaya
Sriman Mahadevaya Namah.
Lord
Shiva Prayer – III
Naagendra haaraaya
thriloochanaaya bhasmaangadhaaraaya maheshwaraaya
Nityaaya shudhdhaaya
digambaraaya tasmai nakaaraaya namahshivaaya
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