What is Masik Shivratri?
Shivratri means the night of Lord Shiva. The 14th day during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. In the western calendar, the date usually arrives in the first half of the month or Masa. The Shivratri coming on the month of Magha (February-March in the Western calendar) is the Maha Shivaratri.Masik Shivratri 2021 Dates
11th January
10th February
11th March (MahaShivaratri)
10th April
9th May
8th June
8th July
6th August
5th September
4th October
3rd November
2nd December
Beliefs behind celebrating Masik Shivratri
It is believed that the union between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place on this day. It was the marriage of the ultimate ascetic to the ultimate worshipper. According to Vedic astrology, the marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is seen as the perfect marriage and they are seen as the ultimate power couple. Unmarried women observe fast during this day to get the perfect husband while married women observe fast to enjoy life with their husband as a perfect couple would do. Get free Couple’s Horoscope: A guide to a successful married life This day commemorates the Nataraja, which is Shiva in the form of a divine dancer. Dance of Shiva is seen as the most basic form of vibrational energy that exists within the smallest subatomic particle during its short time of existence. This energy both creates the particle and destroys it. These subatomic particles are the building blocks of atoms. Atoms make molecules and molecules in turn form larger and more stable forms of existence. It is the dance of Shiva that runs the cycle of life that is birth to death to birth again. Another belief regarding Masik Shivratri is connected with the Samudra Manthan or the churning of the cosmic sea. During the churning process to obtain amruth, first came a deadly poison potent enough to destroy the whole world. The Devas and Asuras didn’t know what to do. They approached Lord Shiva. Being the God of Destruction, Lord Shiva could withstand the poison. So he swallowed it. It remained in his throat, giving it a blue color, giving Shiva the name Neelakanda. Yet another belief behind Shivratri involves the three trimurtis. The story goes that Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu once got involved in a fight to find who was more important. This fight between the titans scared the Devas. They approached Lord Shiva seeking a solution. Shiva manifested himself as a huge column of fire between Brahma and Vishnu. They decided that whosoever finds the end of the column will be declared the superior lord. Brahma sat on a swan and set out to find the top end, while Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar and set out to find the bottom. Both of them failed. However, Brahma found a Ketaki flower which said it had been offered at the top of the column. So, upon returning, Lord Brahma lied that he had found the top of the column and held Ketaki as a witness to the event. The Ketaki flower seconded Brahma’s claim. This infuriated Shiva, who cursed Brahma saying he shall never be worshipped. Ketaki flower too was at the receiving end of Shiva’s wrath and was forbidden from being used for offering ever again. Anyway, the fight between the two lords had ended and Lord Shiva thus saved the day for Devas. This event is also commemorated during the Shivratri.How is Masik Shivratri observed – The PujaVidhi
Shivratri, as the name suggests, is observed during the night. The night is spent chanting the Shiva mantra Om Namah Shivaya, and worshipping the Shiva Lingam with a mixture of milk, water, honey, curd, turmeric powder and vibhuti (holy ash). Devotees observe fast during Shivratri. Married women observe the fast for their sons and husband, while unmarried women pray to attain a good life partner. Your life in 2021 – Detailed Predictions. Get now!What are the rituals involved in Masik Shivratri?
- Rudraabhisheka puja
- Mahamrityunjayahoma
- Chanting of Om NamahShivayaand MahaMrityunjaya mantras
- Panchamritabhishekam on shivling
- Fasting
- Offering bhoj (food) to Brahmin priests