Mahashivratri 2021

 

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri2021

There is a Shivaratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, on the month's 13th night/14th day, but once a year in late winter (February/March, or Phalguna) and before the arrival of Summer, marks Maha Shivaratri which means "the Great Night of Shiva".

Maha Shivaratri is an annual festival dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, and is particularly very important in the Shaivism tradition of Hinduism. It is celebrated at night. It is a solemn event notable for its introspective focus, fasting, meditation on Shiva, self-study, social harmony and an all-night vigil at Shiva temples. The celebration includes maintaining a "jaagaran", an all-night vigil and prayers, as it is marked as "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in one's life and the world through Shiva. Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk to Shiva are made. In Shiva temples, "Om Namah Shivaya", the sacred mantra of Shiva, is chanted through the day. Hindus devotees praise Lord Shiva through the recitation of Shiv Chalisa.

History and significance

The Maha Shivaratri is mentioned in several Puranas, particularly the Skanda Purana, Linga Purana and Padma Purana. These medieval era Shaiva texts present different versions associated with this festival, & mention fasting, reverence for icons of Shiva such as the Lingam.

 

Different legends describe the significance of this festival in different ways:

·     This is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction. The chanting of hymns, the reading of Shiva scriptures and the chorus of devotees joins this cosmic dance and remembers Shiva's presence everywhere.

·     This is the night when Shiva and Parvati got married. 

·     The offering to Shiva icons such as the linga is an annual occasion to get over past sins if any, to restart on a virtuous path and thereby reach Mount Kailasha and liberation.

Maha Shivaratri is considered the day when adiyogi or the first guru awakened his consciousness at the material level of existence. According to Tantra, at this stage of consciousness, no objective experience takes place and the mind is transcended. The meditator transcends time, space and causation. It is regarded as the brightest night of the soul, when the yogi attains the state of Shoonya or Nirvana, the stage succeeding samadhi or illumination.

Devotees visit different temples on this auspicious day. Some of the famous temples of Shiva in India are:

1.  Mahakaleshwar, Madhya Pradesh 

Most sacred among all Shiva temples in India, the Mahakaleshwar Temple is located in Ujjain, on the banks of the scintillating Shipra river. The lingam in this temple is believed to be a Swayambhu or built on its own accord, without anyone installing the linga by reciting mantras. Another speciality of this temple is the south-facing Linga which is present only in Mahakal. The temple, it’s sky-high shikhar or spire and the brilliant facade makes it an awe-inspiring sight to admire and explore for both devotees and history buffs who love visiting temples.

2.  Amarnath Temple, Kashmir             

One of the most famous Shiva temples in India, Amarnath pilgrimage is an extremely difficult yet coveted one among all the Shiva devotees. It is situated at a mammoth height of 3888m in a cave in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Amarnath Yatra is a popular and pious religious trip that pilgrims undertake to worship the Lord. The temple is famous for the naturally forming ice Linga of Lord Shiva that happens once a year.

3.  Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

Kedarnath is famous for being an abode to one among the 12 Jyotirlingas and also a very famous Shiva temple in India. This enchanting temple is nestled amidst the Garhwal Himalayan Range and is visited by pilgrims while they commence their Chota Char Dham or Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, visiting Badrinath, Gangothri and Yamunothri along with this holy shrine of Lord Shiva. Since it is located at a very high altitude, the temple cannot be accessed via proper roads and the pilgrims have to trek uphill for 22kms from Gaurikund.

4.  Kashi Vishwanath, Uttar Pradesh

It is a common belief that breathing your last in Kashi relieves you of all further rebirths and your soul is able to attain Moksha as Lord Vishwanath is the shelter for all who are ardent Shiva devotees. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, located in the sacred city of Varanasi, is a very popular Shiva temple in India and is widely visited by pilgrims all over the country. You can visit this temple during Maha Shivratri 2020 when the temple will be decorated beautifully while celebrating this important Shaivaite festival in a grand manner.

5.  Kailasnath Temple, Maharashtra

Kailasnath Temple, one of the finest Shiva temples in India, is situated in Ellora and is also a great place to visit near Aurangabad. The temple is a brilliant example of Rashtrakuta architecture of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty that ruled India between the 6th and 10th century AD. This temple is also a part of the 34 temples that are present in Ellora. It is the largest rock-cut temple in this country and also has a megalith carved from a rock cliff. It has been an inspiration to many future temples that were built in India.

6.  Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Somnath Shiva temple located in Gujarat is one among the most famous temples in India. It is also considered to be the first Jyotirling temple built in the country and is an important Shiva temple in India. Owing to the incessant invasions by different Muslim rulers, the temple was reconstructed several times, the last one being in the Chalukya-style architecture, completed in 1951. A noteworthy structure in this temple is the Banasthamba or the arrow pillar that is erected on one of the temple walls. The panoramic view of the sea and the enormous temple is also the reason why pilgrims throng this temple often.

7.  Brihadeswara Temple, Tamil Nadu

A true architectural marvel of the Dravidian era, the Brihadeeshwara Temple situated on the banks of the river Kaveri in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, is a spectacle to behold. This is one of the exemplary Shiva temples in India and was constructed between 1001 AD and 1010 AD by the popular king Raja Raja Chola. The temple is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the enormous vimana tower built above the sanctum with granite is the tallest in entire South India. The temple is also famous for housing one of the largest Shiv Lingas and Nandi in India and also has a huge prakhara (corridor). Amongst all the temples and monuments created by the Chola Dynasty, this temple tops the charts for impeccable architecture and design.

8.  Sri Kalahasthi, Andhra Pradesh 

Lord Shiva in this temple is worshipped as Kalahasteeshwara and this temple is also known as one of the Panch Bhuta Sthalas in the country. Located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, this famous Shiva temple in India is often visited by pilgrims after completing their pious trip to Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara’s temple. Legend has that this was the site where the famous devotee Kannappa prepared to offer both his eyes to Lord Shiva to stop the blood oozing from the Shiv Linga and was stopped by the Lord himself and granted mukti.

9.  Murudeshwara Temple, Karnataka

Murudeshwara, located in North Karnataka, houses the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva that sits majestically with the Arabian Sea splashing behind the temple. The charming landscape along with the towering statue of the deity is sure to make you fall in love with the place. A 20-storey temple is also constructed near the statue that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In order for the devotees and tourists to take a good look of the Shiva statue, the temple authorities have constructed a lift that takes visitors and pilgrims to the top of the Raja Gopura to give them a spectacular view of the mammoth statue and the surrounding picturesque landscape.

10.                Tarakeshwar Temple, West Bengal

Also called Baba Taraknath Temple, this is one of the popular Shiva temples in India. Located in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, this temple is a shrine that is often visited by the devotees all-year-long, especially on Mondays., who come to pay their obeisance to the Shayambu linga of the deity. Among the many temples in Kolkata, this is one of the oldest ones and is believed to have been constructed in the 18th century by Raja Bharamalla. The temple has intricate carvings and beautiful murals depicting the Bengal architecture. It also has a pond called the Dudhpukur where devotees take a dip before visiting the main sanctum.

11.                Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu 

Chidambara Nataraja Temple or Thillai Nataraja Temple is one of the finest Shiva temples in South India. It is an artistical marvel of the Chola Dynasty who constructed this magnanimous temple in the 10th century. The temple houses Shiva in the form of Nataraja (or Lord of dance) and also has the 108 karanas of Natyashastra elaborately carved on the temple walls. The temple architecture paints a vivid picture of the beautiful connection between arts and spirituality and exudes an aura, a certain vibration uniquely felt in the inner chambers of the temple. An annual Nrityaanjali is organised on the occasion of Maha Shivratri to worship and celebrate the Lord of Dance – Nataraja.

12.                Kotilingeshwara Temple, Karnataka

True to its name, the Kotilingeshwara Temple is a renowned Shiva temple in India that is famous for housing almost 1 crore Shiva Lingas, one of the largest in the country. This magnificent temple is located in the Kolar district of Karnataka and also quite a well-known temple amongst locals and others. Apart from almost 1 crore small shiva lingams, there is also one 33-metre tall Linga and an 11-metre tall Nandi erected in the temple premises. There is also a water tank constructed close to the Linga that devotees to can use for offering to the lingams.

13.                Lingraj Temple, Odisha

An incredible specimen of the Kalinga architecture, Lingaraj Shiva Temple in Odisha is a must-visit for all Shiv Bhakts as it is one of the prominent Shiva temples in India. In fact, it is the largest temple in Bhubaneshwar and is believed to be constructed by the Somavamsi Dynasty in the Deula style with a vimana (structure for the sanctum), jagamohana (hall for assembly), natmandira (hall for festivities) and bhoga-mandapa (the hall where prasad is offered). Maha Shivratri is an important festival celebrated here and the temple is flocked by thousands of visitors each year, during this occasion.

14.                Baidhyanath Temple, Jharkhand

Baidynath Shiva Temple, located in Jarkhand, is one among the 12 Jyotirlingas and also an important Shiva temple in India. Vaidya, which translates to a doctor, is the term used to address the deity here because, according to the legend, Lord Shiva took the role of a healer/doctor in front of Ravana who ardently prayed to the God to offer him a boon, and to receive that boon, Ravana cut his 10 heads one by one and offered them to Lord Shiva to please him and seek the boon. Pilgrims take an annual Kanwar yatra to this shrine and bring the holy waters from the Ganges to offer it to the deity here. Maha Shivratri is celebrated extensively in this temple.

15.                Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra

In ancient Hindu temple located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, Trimbakeshwar is one of the magnanimous Shiva temples in India and an important shrine for Shiva devotees to visit. The origin point of the sacred river Godavari is said to be near Trimbak town in Nashik. It is also a Jyotirlinga and the temple houses three-faced Linga, each face representing Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. The current temple is built by Peshwa Balaji baji Rao and is constructed from basalt.