Maha Shivratri Festival

2010 :- 12 February
2011 :- 3 March
2012: - 20 February

Maha Shivratri is a well known Hindu Festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon and one aspect of Trimurti. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival usually falls on the 13 or 14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Maagha or Phalguna (February/ March) when the Hindus offer special prayers to the destroyer of Universe.

Maha Shivratri holds special importance as compared to other religious festivals of India as it is the night when Lord Shiva performed 'Tandav', his cosmic dance. The day also celebrates the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati, the mother of divine. Night represents hatred, evil, injustice, voilence and misfortune.

Temple Celebrations of Maha Shivratri : On the auspicious occasion of this festival, temples are beautifully decorated by lights and flowers. Pilgrims gather at these temple in large numbers to pay homage at the lord – chanting the divine mantra of 'Om Namah Shiva' and attend the special pujas ceremonies. As per the tradition special pujas are conducted every three hours during the day of Maha Shivratri. The important part of pujas include Abhishek's wherein milk, ghee, sugar and honey are poured over the Shiva Linga.

On the eve of Maha Shivratri most devotees observe fast for the whole day, when they do not consume anything other than fruits and beverages including milk, tea or coffee. Non Vegetaian food is strictly prohibited for the day.

Lord Shiva is offered special bhog (prasad) made of coconut, fruits and root vegetables. Young girls usually observe fast on this day so that god bless them with good husband. Mahasivratri celebrations mainly take place during the night when the devotees sing aarti and bhajans and chant Lord Shiva mantras.

Shiv Aarti :

Jai Shiv Onkara Har Shiv Onkara,
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Arddhagni Dhara.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...
Meaning: Glory to you, O Shiva! Glory to you, O Omkaara! May Brahma, Vishnu and the assembly of other gods, including the great Lord Shiva, relieve me of my afflictions!

Ekanan Chaturanan Panchanan Rajai,
Hansanan Garudasan Vrishvahan Sajai.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Maha Shivratri Bhajans :

Om namah shivaay jai shiv shankar
Om namah shivaay jai shiv shankar
Karuna sindhu hey priy bholeshwar
Maha tapaswee hey yogeshwar
Dayaalu daata hey deveyshwar
Amarnath hey sarv gyaneshwar
Kailash ling rudradev vishdhar
Satya mahesha jai shiv sundar
Trishul dhar jai jai deveshwar
Bam bam bhola jai sarveshwar
Tandavraaya shiva bhayankar
Tribhuvanswaami jai akhileshwar
Gangaadhaari mahadeva har har
Damru bajaayay bhin roopi natwar
namo namami jai durgeshwar
trinetri shiv sampoorna shaktiwar
om namah shiva om shiv har har
om namah shiva om shiv har har
Contributed by: Sanjana Harjani

Jai Shiv Shankar
Jai Shiv Shankar
Jai Shiv Shankar, Swami Jai Shiv Shankar
Kasht haro Swami humaar, Swami kash haro humaar
Sharan mein apni le ke Bhagwan, mauka do apni sewa ka
He mere Bholenath, yehi vinti karta hun swaminath
Kya maya hai kya nahi, main agyaani nahi jaanu
Mere Swami main to aapko sarvasv maanu
Apna sewak bana lo bhagwan, main na chahun ye sansar
Main aur meri ardhangni, sewa karen aapki aur maa parvati ki
Is Sansar se humein mukt kar, apne charanon mein jagah den
Yehi vinti karta hun swaminaath , yehi prarthna karta hun
Jai Shiv Shankar, Swami Jai Shiv Shankar
Sharan mein apni le ke Bhagwan, mauka do apni sewa ka
Jai Shiv Shankar, Swami Jai Shiv Shankar
Contributed by: Puneet Jain

Khade Hain Dar pe Darshan Ko
Khade hain dar pe darshan ko
Charan Shivji ke chune ko.

Agar main jal chadati hun to wo machli ka jhuta hai
isiliye paer nahi padte tere mandir mein aane ko.
Khade hai dar pe darshan ko
Charan Shivji ke chune ko.

Agar mein phool chadati hun to wo bhanware ka jhutha hai
isiliye paer nahi padte tere mandir mein aane ko.
Khade hai dar pe darshan ko
Charan Shivji ke chune ko.

Agar mein dil chadati hun to wo paapon ka jhutha hai
Agar mein phool chadati hun to wo bhanware ka jhutha hai
isiliye paer nahi padte tere mandir mein aane ko.
Khade hai dar pe darshan ko
Charan Shivji ke chune ko.
Contributed by: Mona

Aparana Chauhan