What is '' MAHAA SHIVARATHRI '' Festival ?

Lord '' SHIVA with His Wife Lorddess '' Parvathi Or Shakthi ''

The Festival
The word Shivratri literally translates into "the night of Shiva. This is because the ceremonies take place chiefly at night. A daylong fast, a nightlong vigil, and the reverberating rhythm of sacred chants mark the day. This is a festival observed in honor of Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this auspicious day. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” continues. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the Lingam. Bael leaves are very sacred, for it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them.

MAHA SHIVARATRI ''POOJA'' in LONDON

About The Lord
Shiva - the word meaning auspicious - is one of the Hindu Trinity, comprising of Lord Brahma, the creator, Lord Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva or Mahesh, the Destroyer and Re-Producer of life. Shiva is known by many names like "Shankar", "Mahesh", "Bholenath", "Neelakanth", "Shambhu Kailasheshwar", "Umanath", "Nataraj" and others. For few people, Shiva is "Paramatman", "Brahman", the Absolute, but many more prefer to see Shiva as a personal God given to compassion for his worshippers, and the dispenser of both spiritual and material blessings. Related to the Absolute concept is Shiva as "Yoganath" meaning the Lord of Yoga, wherein he becomes teacher, path and goal. As such he is the "Adi Guru" or the Highest Guru of 'Sannyasins' who have renounced the world to attain the Absolute.

Time is invisible and formless. Therefore Mahakal Shiva, as per the Vedas, manifested himself as "LINGUM" to make mankind aware of the presence of Eternal Time. That day when Shiva manifested himself in the form of "Lingum" was the fourth day of the dark night in the month of 'Magha' i.e. February-March. Maha Shivratri continues to be celebrated forever and ever.

This is an important day for the devotees of Shiva, who stay awake throughout the night, praying to him. In all major centers of Shoveling worship, Shivaratri, also called Mahashivaratri, is a grand occasion. From the very early morning, Shiva temples are flocked by devotees, mostly women, who come to perform the traditional Shoveling worship and hence hope for favors from the god. All through the day, devotees abstain from eating food and break their fast only the next morning, after the nightlong worship.The day is considered to be specially auspicious for women. According to one myth, Parvati performed tapas, and prayed and 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 bean 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.

Stories And Legends
The Story of King Chitrabhanu
The story goes as follows - Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king. The sage asked the king the purpose of his observing the past. King Chitrabhanu explained that he had the gift of remembering the incidents of his previous birth. The king said to the sage that in his previous he was a hunter in Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. One day while roaming through forests in search of animals he was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, he climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. He had shot a deer that day but had no time to take it home. So he bundled it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As hunger and thirst tormented him, he was kept awake throughout the night. He shed profuse tears when he thought of his poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously waiting for his return. To pass away the time that night he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground. The next day he returned home and sold the deer and then bought some food for himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and then had his own. At the time of his death, he saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were sent down to conduct his soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. He learnt then for the first time of the great merit he had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. The messengers told him that there was a Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The leaves I dropped fell on the Lingam. His tears, which had shed out of pure sorrow for his family, fell onto the Lingam and washed it and he had fasted all day and all night. Thus, he unconsciously worshiped the Lord. As the conclusion of the tale the King said that he lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages and now he has reborn as Chitrabhanu.

Shiv Purana
According to another legend in the Shiva Purana, once Brahma and Vishnu were fighting over who was the superior of the two. Horrified at the intensity of the battle, the other gods asked Shiva to intervene. To make them realize the futility of their fight, Shiva assumed the form of a huge column of fire in between Brahma and Vishnu. Awestruck by its magnitude, they decided to find one end each to establish supremacy over the other. Brahma assumed the form of a swan and went upwards and Vishnu as Varaha went into the earth. Nevertheless, light has no limit and though they searched for thousands of miles, neither could find the end. On his journey upwards, Brahma came across a ketaki flower wafting down slowly. When asked where she had come from, the ketaki replied that she had been placed at the top of the fiery column as an offering. Unable to find the uppermost limit, Brahma decided to end his search and take the flower as a witness. At this, the angry Shiva revealed his true form. He punished Brahma for telling a lie, and cursed him that no one would ever pray to him. The ketaki flower too was banned from being used as an offering for any worship, as she had testified falsely. Since it was on the 14th day in the dark half of the month of Phalguna that Shiva first manifested himself in the form of a linga, the day is especially auspicious and is celebrated as Maha Shivratri. Worshipping Shiva on this day is believed to bestow one with happiness and prosperity.

Ramayana
According to a legend in the Ramayana, once King Bhagiratha left his kingdom to mediate for the salvation of the souls of his an castors. He observed a penance to Brahma for a thousand years, requesting Ganga to come down to earth from heaven. He wanted her to wash over his ancestor's ashes to release them from a curse and allow them to go to heaven. Brahma granted his wish but told him to pray to Shiva, who alone could sustain the weight of her descent. Accordingly, Ganga descended on Shiva's head, and after meanderingt through his thick matted locks, reached the earth. According to a modified version, what reached the earth was just sprinkles from his hair. This story is believed to be re-enacted by bathing the linga. The love of water, the primary element of life, is also remembered in this ritualistic action.

Celebrations
Devotees bathe at sunrise, preferably in the Ganga, or any other holy water source (like the Shiva Sagartank at Khajuraho). They offer prayers to the sun, Vishnu and Shiva. This is a purificatory rite, an important part of all Hindu festivals. Wearing a clean piece of clothing after the holy bath, worshippers carry pots of water to the temple to bathe the Shoveling. The temple reverberates with the sound of bells and shouts of Shiva'. Devotees circumambulate the linga, three or seven times, and then pour water over it. Some also pour milk.

The linga is bathed with milk, water and honey. It is then an nointed with sandalwood paste. People offer wood apple or bel leaves and fruit, milk, sandalwood and jujube fruit or ber to the linga. Shiva is believed to be very hot tempered, and hence things, which have a cooling effect, are offered to him. People decorate the linga with flowers and garlands and also offer incense sticks and fruit. In bigger temples, there is almost a stampede as devotees seek favors from the beloved god. Many also employ the services of a priest to perform special prayers.

Phalguna is a peculiar month. Immediately after Maha Shivratri, almost like a miracle, the trees are full of flowers as if to announce that after winter, the fertility of the earth has been rejuvenated. The linga is worshipped throughout India as a symbol of fertility. The festivities differ in various parts of India.

The Great '' AGHORIS '' Preparing to Celebrate MAHA SHIVARATRI

12 Jyotirlingas in India
In our country there are twelve "JYOTIRLINGAS" of Lord Shiv at twelve places that are sacred to the Hindus. It is believed that all these twelve Jyotilingas are "Swayambhus" meaning that they sprung up by themselves at these places and afterwards only temples were built. Every Hindu believes that at least once in his life-time he must visit these twelve Jyotirlingas and then he will be absolved of all the sinful acts he may have done. 

These twelve Jyotirlingas are:-

> Somnath in Kathiawar. > Shri-Shailya-Mallikarjun in the South. > Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain. > Omkarnath on the bank of river Jamuna. > Parali-Vaijanath in Marathwada. > Bhimashanker on the bank of Bhima river. > Rameshwar in South. > Naganath in Marathwada. > Ghrusneshwar at Daulatabad. > Kashi-Vishveshwar in Benares. > Kedarnath in Uttar Pradesh. > Trimbakeshwar in Nasik. 

Lord Shiv is known by many names like Shanker, Mahesh, Bholenath, Neelakanth, Shambhu Kailasheshwar, Umanath, Nataraj and others. He is the most sought-after deity amongst the Hindus and pray to him as the god of immense large-heartedness who they believe grant all their wishes. Around him are weaved many interesting stories that reveal His magnanimous heart. Not only this, but these stories and legends also enrich the Indian culture and art.

Water and Hinduism

The worldwide practice of Hinduism encompasses a wide variety of beliefs. However, a prevailing belief that is shared by most, if not all, Hindus is the importance of physical and spiritual cleanliness and well-being... a striving to attain purity and avoid pollution. This widespread aspiration lends itself to a reverence for water as well as the integration of water into most Hindu rituals, as it is believed that water has spiritually cleansing powers.

• Holy places are usually located on the banks of rivers, coasts, seashores and mountains. Sites of convergence between land and two, or even better three, rivers, carry special significance and are especially sacred. Sacred rivers are thought to be a great equalizer. For example, in the Ganges, the pure are thought to be made even more pure, and the impure have their pollution removed if only temporarily. In these sacred waters, the distinctions imposed by castes are alleviated, as all sins fall away.

• Every spring, the Ganges River swells with water as snow melts in the Himalayas. The water brings life as trees and flowers bloom and crops grow. This cycle of life is seen as a metaphor for Hinduism.

• Water represents the "non-manifested substratum from which all manifestations derive" [Dr. Uma Mysorekar, Hindu Temple Society of North America] and is considered by Hindus to be a purifier, life-giver, and destroyer of evil.

• Milk and water are symbols of fertility, absence of which can cause barrenness, sterility leading to death.

• Temple Tanks are an essential part of every large Hindu temple. Every village/town/city has a temple with a sizable water tank. Conventional beliefs hold that the water of a temple tank is holy and has cleansing properties. It is an unwritten rule to take a dip in the temple tank before offering prayers to the presiding deities, thereby purifying oneself. In actuality, the tanks serve as a useful reservoir to help communities tide over water scarcity. Water in India is largely dependent on the monsoons. In case the rains fail, people can look to these temple tanks to fulfill basic water needs. These days, the tanks are mostly found in a state of neglect. They are either dried up or poorly maintained, which leads to contamination. [Nikhil Mundra, http://scienceofhinduism.blogspot.com]

 HISTORICAL HINDU REFERENCES TO WATER

• The Matsya Avatara of Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared to King Manu (whose original name was Satyavrata, the then King of Dravida) while he washed his hands in a river. This river was supposed to have been flowing down the Malaya Hills in his land of Dravida. According to the Matsya Purana, his ship was supposed to have been perched after the deluge on the top of the Malaya Mountain. A little fish asked the king to save it and, upon his doing so, kept growing bigger and bigger. It also informed the King of a huge flood which would occur soon. The King built a huge boat, which housed his family, 9 types of

seeds, and animals to repopulate the earth after the deluge occurred and the oceans and seas receded. [Flood, Gavin (1996). An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press]

• Water image in early Indian art... Images of Ganga on a crocodile and Yamuna on a tortoise flanked the doorways of early temples. In the Varaha cave at Udayagiri, of the 4th century A.D., the two goddesses meet in a wall of water, recreating Prayaga (ancient name for Allahabad). The Pallavas at Mamallapuram, carved the story of the descent of the Ganga on an enormous rock. Later, Adi Shesha, the divine snake who forms the couch of Narayana, represented water. [Nanditha Krishna, ʻCreations Grounded in wisdom,ʼ New Indian Express, 2 May 2006]

• Etymology of the word Hindu also denotes water... Hind_ is the Persian name for the Indus River, first encountered in the Old Persian word Hindu (h_ndu), corresponding to Vedic Sanskrit Sindhu, the Indus River. The Rig Veda mentions the land of the Indo-Aryans as Sapta Sindhu (the land of the seven rivers in northwestern South Asia, one of them being the Indus). [Lipner, Julius (1998), Hindus: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, Routledge]

WATER IN HINDU RITUAL

• Water is very important for all the rituals in Hinduism. For example, water is essential as a cleaning agent, cleaning the vessels used for the poojas (rituals), and for Abhishekas or bathing of Deities. Several dravyas or nutrients used for the purpose of bathing the Deities and after use of each dravya water are used for cleansing the deity. Water offered to the Deity and the water collected after bathing the Deities are considered very sacred. This water is offered as “Theertha” or blessed offering to the devotees.

• Poorna Kumba literally means a full pitcher ("poorna" is full and "kumbha" is pitcher). The Poorna Kumbha is a pitcher full of water with fresh leaves preferably of mango tree and a coconut placed on the top. Poorna Kumbha is an object symbolizing God and it is regularly used during different religious rites. The water in the jar is said to be divine essence.

• Many of the poojas in Hinduism start with keeping a kalasa which is a brass, silver or gold pot filled with water adorned with a coconut amidst mango or other sacred leaves. Kalasa symbolizes the universe and becomes an integral part of the Mandalic-liturgy as it still forms an indispensable element of certain poojas in Hinduism. The pot is the first mandala into which the Deities descend and raise themselves.

• One of the religious rituals is tarpana, which means to please or to gratify. Specifically, tarpana is the act of pouring water through the hands with the use of sacred grass as a symbolic gesture of recognition, thanking and pleasing Gods, sages, and fathers.

• During all purification rites water is sprinkled on the objects which are to be purified. Water used to be sprinkled on any offerings to the deities.

• Before starting a meal Hindus sprinkle water around the leaf or plate in which the meal is traditionally eaten.

• In times past, a King was sprinkled with water in order to purify him during his coronation. This was believed to ensure an auspicious beginning to his reign.

• There is also an important ritual called Sandhyopasana or Sandhyavandana which is a combination of meditation and concentration. Sandhya is an obligatory duty to be performed daily for self-purification and selfimprovement. Regular Sandhya cuts the chain of old Samskaras and changes everybodyʼs old situation entirely. It brings purity, Atma-Bhava, devotion and sincerity. The important features of this ceremony are: Achamana or sipping of water with recitation of Mantras, Marjana or sprinkling of water on the body which
purifies the mind and the body, Aghamarshana or expiation for the sins of many births, and Surya Arghya or ablutions of water to the Sun-god (the other two non water-based elements of the ceremony are: Pranayama, or control of breath which steadies the wandering mind, and silent recitation of Gayatri; and Upasthana, or religious obeisance). The first part of Arghya consists of hymns addressed to water and its benefits. The sprinkling of water on the face and the head and the touching of the different organs (the mouth, nose, eyes, ears, chest, shoulders, head, etc.) with wetted fingers, are meant to purify those parts of the body and invoke the respective presiding deities on them. They also stimulate the nerve-centres and wake up the dormant powers of the body. The Arghya drives the demons who obstruct the path of the rising sun. Esoterically, lust, anger and greed are the demons who obstruct the intellect from rising up (the intellect is the sun).

• Achamana is the sipping of water three times, while repeating the names of the Lord. One becomes pure by doing Achamana after he answers calls of nature, after walking in the streets, just before taking food and after food, and after a bath.

• Jalanjali is a handful of water as an offering to the manes, gods, etc. A rite observed before an idol is installed is Jaladhivaasam (submersion in water) and Jalasthapanam is another rite.[15] Pouring water on the head in purificatory ceremony is Jalaabhishekam.

• A religious austerity to be observed in water is called Jalavaasam. It is also abiding in water. One who lives by drinking water alone is Jalaasi. A religious vow or practice in which a devotee lives by drinking water alone for one month is known as Jalakricchram.

• Chanting of mantras standing in water is Jalajapam. A kind of penance observed by standing under a continuous downpour of water is Jaladhaara. Neernila is chanting of hymns while standing in water.

• A bath performed in the holy water for the achievement of some desire is called Kaamyasnanam.[16] Prokshana is sprinkling water over oneʼs body to purify, when a bath is not possible. This is for internal as well as external purity.

• Immediately after childbirth, a close relative of the child pours a few drops of water on the body of the child using his right hand, which is called Nir talikkuka. It is said that the child will get the character of this person. As such, a close relative with good character does the ritual.

HEALTH AND WATER

• The Vedic declaration says that water offered to Sun in the evening converts the drops of water to stones that cause death to the demons. For humans, demons are like all sicknesses like typhoid TB, pneumonia etc. When a devotee takes water in his hands while standing in front of or facing the sun and drops water on the ground the rising direct Sunʼs rays fall from the head to feet of the devotee in a uniform flow. This way water heated by Sunʼs rays and its colors penetrates every part of the body. This is the reason why the Vedas direct the devotee to offer water when the Sun is about to set.

• To alleviate fevers, sprinkling holy or consecrated water on the sick person, chanting mantras is Udakashanti. While the water being sprinkled muttering a curse can affect a metamorphosis, the Hindu saints were able to curse or bless using this ʻsubhodakamʼ.

• Water Therapy, both external and internal, has been practised for centuries to heal the sick. Usha Kaala Chikitsa is Sanskrit for water therapy. According to this ancient system, 1.5 litres of water should be consumed each morning on an empty stomach, as well as throughout the day. Water Therapy is considered to be a material way of taking an "internal bath".

• Water plays a significant role in death as well. Many funeral grounds used to be located near the rivers in India. After cremation, the mourners bathe in the river before returning to their homes. After the third day, the ashes are collected, and on the tenth day these are cast into the holy river.

THE GANGES RIVER

• The rhythm of life is dictated by water and Hindus hold the rivers in great reverence. India is a country that not only nurtures resources nature has bestowed upon her, but also worships them for the all-around prosperity they bring in their wake. The rivers are generally female divinities, food and life bestowing mothers. There are seven sacred rivers which are worships – Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri.

• The Ganges River is the most important of the sacred rivers. Its water used in pooja or worship if possible a sip is given to the dying. It is believed that those who bathed in Ganges and those who leave some part of themselves (hair, piece of bone, etc) on the bank will attain Swarga or the paradise of Indira.

• The river is referred to as a Goddess and is said to flow from the toe of Lord Vishnu to be spread in the world through the matted hair of Lord Siva. By holding that sacred stream touching it and bathing in its waters, one rescues oneʼs ancestors from seven generations. The merit that one earns by bathing in Ganga is such that it is incapable of being otherwise earned through the acquisition of sons or wealth for the performance of meritorious acts. The man of righteous conduct who thinks of Ganga at the time when his breath is about to leave his body succeeds in attaining to the highest end. She leads creatures very
quickly to heaven.

• According to Hindu religion a very famous king Bhagiratha did Tapasya (a self-discipline or austerity willingly expended both in restraining physical urges and in actively pursuing a higher purpose in life) for many years constantly to bring the river Ganga, then residing in the Heavens, down on the Earth to find salvation for his ancestors, who were cursed by a seer. Therefore, Ganga descended to the Earth through the lock of hair (Jata) of god Shiva to make whole earth pious, fertile and wash out the sins of humans. For Hindus in India,
the Ganga is not just a river but a mother, a goddess, a tradition, a culture and much more.

• Indian Mythology states that Ganga, daughter of Himavan, King of the Mountains, had the power to purify anything that touched her. Ganga flowed from the heavens and purified the people of India, according to myths. The ancient scriptures mention that the water of Ganges carries the blessings of Lord Vishnu's feet; hence Mother Ganges is also known as Vishnupadi, which means "Emanating from the Lotus feet of Supreme Lord Sri Vishnu."

• It is not uncommon to see may Hindus who bathe or wash in the sacred river Ganges chanting the following mantra or mentally repeating it: Gange ca Yamune caiva / God_vari Sarasvati / Narmade Sindhu Kaver / Jale ʻsmin sannidhim kuru / Puskar_dy_ni tirthani / Gang_dy_h saritas tath_ / _gacchantu pavitr_ni / Sn_nak_le sad_ ...... Mama / Bless with thy presence / O holy rivers Ganges, Yamun_, God_vari, Sarasvati, Narmad_, Sindhu and K_veri / May Puskara, and all the holy waters and the rivers such as the Ganges, always come at the time of my bath.


• Some Hindus also believe life is incomplete without bathing in the Ganga at least once in one's lifetime. Many Hindu families keep a vial of water from the Ganga in their house. This is done because it is prestigious to have water of the Holy Ganga in the house, and also so that if someone is dying, that person will be able to drink its water. Many Hindus believe that the water from the Ganga can cleanse a person's soul of all past sins, and that it can also cure the ill.

• The major sacred places, located on the Ganga are Varanasi, Haridwar and Prayag and these places are treated as the holy places of India, as these are situated in the bank of the holy river.

• River Ganga holds great importance in the economic, social and cultural life of the Indian people in general, and Hindus in particular. People love to give the name of Ganga to their children. One can find millions of people in India with the name of Ganga and this signifies the love, affection and association of people
with river.

• The largest gathering of people in the world occurs at the Kumbh Mela which is a spiritual pilgrimage celebrated every three years in one of four sacred cities of India: Allahabad, Ujjain, Nasik and Haridwar. In Hindu mythology, it is said that a drop of immortal nectar was dropped at each of these locations as Gods and demons fought over the pot or kumbh that held the nectar. Millions of Hindus travel to the Mela to bathe in the Ganga, believing their sins will be washed away and they will achieve salvation. For other visitors, the festival is a fascinating spectacle of size and eccentricity.