• Shivaratri 2019

AdvertisingIn Indian yogic tradition and some tradition of Tantra, Shiva is not treated like other gods. Known as Shambhu, Shankar, Mahesha or Mahadev, he is rather known as the teacher of all the teachers; as the first guru, the one from whom all the knowledge has descended onto the humanity. It is said that the yogic tradition – not only the one with asanas, but also the path of the self-realisation – began from him. Thus, Maha Shivratri is celebrated in various forms depending on the perspective.ALSO READ HOW IS MAHA SHIVRATRI CELEBRATEDAccording to Garuda Purana, one should worship Shiva before the Shivratri on the 13th (Trayodashi) of the month and on the 14th (Chaturdashi) one should observe fast on Maha Shivratri. According to Shiva Purana and Garuda Purana, one should offer bel leaves, flower of aak, marijuana leaves or bhaang (hemp) on Shiva Lingam on this day as well.There are many ways in which Maha Shivratri can be celebrated across various traditions. The most popular tradition is to observe fast on the day and night, and break the fast on the next day after sunrise at the time of its paran (time when Chaturdashi/period of fasting ends).Devotees should get up early in the morning, take a bath and then they must visit the Shivalaya, the Shiva temple and perform rites such as simple Rudrabhisheka (watering the Shiva Lingam) with auspicious ingredients, including various kinds of fruits and especially with bel leaves.

Devotees break Shivaratri Jagran, Shivaratri Upavasam and the whole Shivaratri Vrata in the morning on the day after Shivaratri. Shivaratri Upavas is broken in the evening on Shivratri day with taking ‘Khajur (dates) by chanting Shiva prayers. Lingadhbhavam is a grand event visited by a large number of devotees in Dwadasha Jyothirlinga Temples.

AdvertisingPeople chant the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” as much as possible the whole day and night, or at least 108 times. There are many others who chant sacred hymns of Lord Shiva, read the Puranas and Upanishads related to Lord Shiva, and meditate upon his names through Shiva Sahasranama Stotram. Those who cannot observe the whole day and night fast can observe the night fast while meals of fruit or juices (falahar) can be taken.RELATED Traditional way of observing Maha ShivratriIn Hindu cosmology, a day is divided into eight segments known as prahars, of three hours each. Thus, there are four units/segments of the day and four of the night. Mahashivratri is celebrated in the four units of the night. Shiva is worshipped in different forms in different prahars, so that’s four styles of worship all through the night, with the help of simple Rudrabhisheka and prayers.

How will you be celebrating Maha Shivratri? (Source: Thinkstock Images) MAHA SHIVRATRI PUJA SAMAGRIItems needed:1. Ghee made from cow milk2.

Cotton wick and earthen/metal lamp3. Flowers (excluding Ketaki), preferably white5. Panchamrita (ghee, sugar, honey, milk and curd)6.

Unbroken rice9. Brass bell and incenses10. Prasad (sattvik cooked items without garlic and onion)11. Any of these items: Supari, Mishri, Honey, Rudraksha, White chandan, etc.ALSO READ. MAHA SHIVRATRI PUJA AND VIDHIOne should get up early in the morning and have a bath, then should go to a Shiva temple or in case performing Puja at home, keep the puja items in front of a Shiv Linga placed facing east.

The Shiva Lingam placed at home should not be more than the size of the first part of the thumb of house owner. Clean the Shiva Linga, dispose of all the offerings, and then perform simple Rudrabhisheka by watering the Shiv linga.

Maha Shivaratri Fast MethodOnthe day of Mahashivaratri, worshipers perform Puja and fast as per their devotionand capability. Crowd of devotees gather in the Shiva temple. The echos of cavesin Shivalaya can be heard from early morning itself. Everyone worship lord Shivain their own manner. People performing the normal Puja, offer Bel leaves to theShivlinga and worship with full faith and devotion. Shivlinga is made to have bathwith raw milk. Incense sticks and lamps are used for worshipping.

Fast s observedfor the whole day. Food is taken in the night, after Puja.Some worshippers perform the Jalabhishek of Shivlinga in a systematic manner withchanting of mantras, on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Some peope perform Dugdhabhishekwith chanting of mantras. A person gain virtues by offering Bel leaves to the Shivlingaand performing the Jagran at night. If possible, a person should perform Rudrabhishekin the evening, after having bath etc. After performing Puja, an individual shouldchant the mantra 'उँनu2350: शिवाय” If it is not possible to worship the whole night,then, Puja of first Prehar(span of 3 hours) is must to be performed.The festival of Mahashivaratri is reminds about the descending of lord Shiva onthis universe. All caste and class of people can observe this fast.

In this fast,worshipping lord Shiva for the whole night is considered auspicious. Fasting onthe day of Mahashivaratri brings a person close to lord. Jagran performed at nightremoves the five disorder like desires,anger, intoxication, greed and hatred.How to Perform Mahashivaratri PujaLord Shiva is worshipped in different manner, on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Onthis day, water mixed with leaves of Bel and Dhatura, flowers and rice is offeredto lord Shiva from a utensil made of wood. If there is no Shivalinga near the house,a person should make a Shivlinga of mud and worship it. On the night of fast, Jagranshould be performed at night by hearing ‘Shiva Puran’and chanting the Mahamritunjaymantra. Every person worship lord in his own manner, some perform normal Puja, whereas,some worship with Panchkshari.

Many people perform Panchopchar or Shodashochar Puja.And, few do the Ashtadashopchar Puja.On the next day of Shivaratri, Paran of fast is performed. If possible a personshould perform Hawan using barley, Til, Kheer and Bel leaves. On Mahashivaratri,worshiper should can chant mantra ans perform Puja according to his needs. Thisway, a person get success in his related field and all sorts of obstacles are removed.How to Observe Maha Shivaratri Puja to Cure DiseasesAn ill person gets immedietly cured by chanting the Mahamritunjay mantra for tenthousand times on rosary of Rudraksha and worshipping Shivlinga in Shivalaya. TheMahamritunjay mantra is as follows:-'उँ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम, ऊर्वारुकमिवबन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीयमामृतात'How to Perform Mahashivaratri Puja for SalvationSpread a clean sheet of cloth on a wooden table or bed. Ek Mukhi Rudraksh is worshippedwith lamps, incense sticks and offered Ganga Jal. After the Puja, Rudraksh is placedon the bed.

Shivaratri 2019

Then, the resolution is taken of chanting Mahamritunjay mantra for 14lakh times infront of that Rudraksh. And, the chanting is started. The chantingcan be completed even after the fast of Mahashivaratri.How to Observe Maha Shivaratri Puja for Success in BusinessConsecration of Parad Shivalinga in auspicious muhurta of Mahashivaratri and worhippingit in a systematic manner gives growth in business.How to Observe Mahashivaratri Puja for Defeating EnemiesReading Rudrashtak or Lingashtakam on the night of Mahashivaratri, helps to winover the enemies. A person gets victory even in the cases running in court.How to Observe Mahashivaratri Puja for Removing ObstaclesIn the Pradosh time of Mahashivaratri, Shivlinga of rhinestone is made to have bathwith Panchamrit (Ganga Jal, raw milk, curd, ghee and honey) and worshipped by lightinglamps of pure ghee. While performing Puja, mantra'ऊँ तुत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि तन्नो रुद्र: प्रचोदयात.' Should be chanted for 11000 times.On the day of Mahashivaratri, everyone perform Puja according to their devotionand capability.

Worshipping on this day, improve the works and activities of anindividual. Worshipping does not mean that a person should turn away from his actions.In true terms a person get salvation and freedom from his obstacles by his everydayworks and actions.