Maha Shivratri 2013 Celebration

Maha Shivratri, a Hindu festival celebrated in veneration of Lord Shiva, who is aniconic form of lingam. Maha Shivratri literally means a great night of Shiva which is celebrated on every 13th or 14th night of Phalgun. On this day great enthusiasm is seen in devotee. This year it comes on 10th March 2013 Sunday.

Actually, there is a legend associated with the Samudra Manthan which is purely described in Vedas. According to that, while Samudra Manthan (a process where Deva's and demons churns out mountain as a base and snake as a rope) amrut came out from the depth of the ocean which can make any thing immortal.

After this poison named Halala came out which can destroy whole of the universe. So to save world from termination, Lord Shiva drink it because of which throat turns to blue, that is how Shiva got the name Neelkanth.

How festival is celebrated

Devotees take their bathe before sunrise, preferably from Gangajal. Shiva temples are filled with buffs. At first Shivling is bathed with the holy water, milk and honey, and Wood then Bael or Bilval Vilvam leaves, fruits is offered in front of Lord Shiva. Unmarried women prays to marry with husband like Shiva, who is considered to be an ideal husband. The majestic sound of bells fill whole of the environment with chanting of Shankraji.

Both men and women fast on this auspicious day and wear rudraksha. At night prasad was distributed to devotees which is to be made of bhang preferably. That's how in India it is celebrated.

Maha Shivratri, a Hindu festival celebrated in veneration of Lord Shiva, who is aniconic form of lingam. Maha Shivratri literally means a great night of Shiva which is celebrated on every 13th or 14th night of Phalgun. On this day great enthusiasm is seen in devotee. This year it comes on 10th March 2013 Sunday.

Actually, there is a legend associated with the Samudra Manthan which is purely described in Vedas. According to that, while Samudra Manthan (a process where Deva's and demons churns out mountain as a base and snake as a rope) amrut came out from the depth of the ocean which can make any thing immortal.

After this poison named Halala came out which can destroy whole of the universe. So to save world from termination, Lord Shiva drink it because of which throat turns to blue, that is how Shiva got the name Neelkanth.

How festival is celebrated

Devotees take their bathe before sunrise, preferably from Gangajal. Shiva temples are filled with buffs. At first Shivling is bathed with the holy water, milk and honey, and Wood then Bael or Bilval Vilvam leaves, fruits is offered in front of Lord Shiva. Unmarried women prays to marry with husband like Shiva, who is considered to be an ideal husband. The majestic sound of bells fill whole of the environment with chanting of Shankraji.

Both men and women fast on this auspicious day and wear rudraksha. At night prasad was distributed to devotees which is to be made of bhang preferably. That's how in India it is celebrated.