Maha Shivarathri

Maha Shivarathri is the day to worship Lord Shiva. Normally Shiva is worshipped in the form of Linga, which symbolizes purusha (man) in celestial form. It is called Maha Shivarathri since it falls in the month of Magha. Most of the festivals are celebrated in the day time but Maha Shivarathri is celebrated in night as Lord Shiva is believed to have saved the universe from darkness and ignorance. It is a night of death and a new life.

The belief behind this festival is, on this day, Lord Shiva is believed to have drank the deadly poison (Halahalam) that emerged while churning the ocean of milk (Palazhi) and saved the whole universe.

The main concerns of the festival are ahimsa, Satya, compassion, forgiveness to followers and overcoming jealousy. On this day, anybody can worship Shiva by fasting and staying awake all night. Fasting should be observed from sunrise to next day sunrise and on this day, the Shiva Linga is bathed in panchamruta (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey), chanting Rudra Mantra and offering bael leaves (in Malayalam it is called Koovalam) and flowers.

We can achieve peace and prosperity by worshipping Lord Shiva since he is believed to have the power to destroy and forgive our sins that we make in our daily life. Shiva is the final frontier for fulfilling all desires.