Shivratri, or Mahashivratri, is the most auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiva and is popularly known as the night of Siva. In 2011, the date of Shivaratri is March 3. In Panchangs and Hindu calendars followed in United States, United Kingdom (Britain) and Canada, Shivratri is marked on March 4. This holy night of Shiva is observed on the night before ‘amavasya’ in the Hindu month of Phalgun (February – March) as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in
Most Hindu festivals are noted for its mirth and color but Shivratri is a night dedicated to prayers and contemplation. Of course, when Lord Shiva is worshipped there is joy all around but it is not just joy but bliss that is achieved through Brahman realization – When Lord Shiva is seen in all animate and inanimate.
When we realize that it is his Tandava that creates each cell and it is his Tandava that is responsible for the transformation of each cell – we attain Moksha
Planetary Position on Shivaratri Night
It is believed that the planetary positions align in such a way on Shivratri night that it naturally creates an upsurge of energy in the human system. This is also why traditionally it is known to be beneficial both physically and spiritually to stay awake and aware through the night.
Shivratri and Amavasya (No Moon)
The significance of Shivratri is closely associated with ‘amavas’ - the no moon night or full dark night as per traditional Hindu Calendar. Amavas symbolically represents Kaliyuga or spiritual ignorance. Lord Shiva appeared just before the beginning of Kaliyuga to rid the world of evil and ignorance. Therefore Shivratri is celebrated to get rid of evil and ignorance.
It must be noted here that Shivratri is observed during Phalgun month in
There is also a Masa Shivratri which is observed on thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in all traditional Hindu months.
(image belongs to Ishafoundation)
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9 comments:
Hello Sir,
What slokas can a married woman chant on this day?
thanks
priya
Namaste...You can chant any shlokas dedicated to Shiva or simply... Om Namah Shivaya...
There is no difference between man, woman, child for Shiva...He is in all...
thanks sir
maha shivatrai is not on amavasya it falla on chaturdashi
Hi. I have a question about the date. The new moon(amavasya) is on February 25, why then is the festival on the 23? Is it because its the closest monday(somvar)?
Amavasya is on February 24.
Hello,
Could you please tell me when to celebrate Shivaratri(in 2010) here in New York, 11th or 12th? I read that it falls on the fourteenth(Chaturdashi) day of Krishna paksha(which is on 12th) then why should Shivaratri be celebrated on 11th(which is Trayodashi) here in USA?
there are 2 Hindu groups in trinidad one is celebrating shivaratri on the 11th and the other is celebrating it on the 12th I know the day is celebrated base on the time and if it falls before 12am it is celebrated the night before so if tinidad in not a full 24 hours to india what day should it really be celebrated.
There is an error in the date for USA/Canada where you mention "United States, United Kingdom (Britain) and Canada, Shivratri is marked on March 4". In fact, Shivaratri by definition requires the Chaturdasi tithi and on March 4, the amavasya is already past in the US !! The date should be March 2 instead for US/Canada. You can check any decent jyotish software for 6.pm of this date for any place in US/Canada
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