Maha Shivratri 2021 – Read The Shiv Chalisa, Story, Significance and How to Keep Fast

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Today, we celebrate the Maha Shivratri or “the Great Night of Shiva”. But, according to the South Indian Calendar, it occurs on the Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha. The festival of Shivratri is significant as it marks a remembrance to “overcoming darkness and ignorance”.

This festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva who was the first Adi guru, the discoverer of truth and bliss. He is the one from whom knowledge originated. According to some legends, Lord Shiva is considered as the creator as well as the destroyer of the Universe.

Mahashivratri Vrat or the Shivratri Vratam is kept by the devotees in order to impress Lord Shiva. They do not eat during the whole day. At night, they offer prayers to the Lord and then consume food. Hindu fasts are kept with extreme devotion and self-determination for seeking the blessings of the Lord. Offerings of Bel Patra (Wood apple leaves), Dhatura, Pan, and Supari, etc. are offered to the Lord as these things are considered to be his favourite. Cold Water and Milk is offered to the Shiv Linga.

One can offer prayers to the Lord in all four prahars of the day but usually, the main prayers of Shivratri are done during the night as Shiv Ratri is celebrated at the night time. It is believed that on this night the northern hemispheres of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural magnification of energy inside a human being. To allow the natural upsurge of energy enter your body one should sit with a straight back and be awake.

You can keep fasts all day long and eat after sunset or you can consume fruits and milk as per your choice.

The story behind the celebration of Maha Shivratri

There are many legends associated with the festival of Maha Shivratri. The most prominent one in North-India is of the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that Shiva and Parvati got married on this day and to celebrate this occasion, the night of their marriage is considered as Maha Shivratri. Temples are beautifully decorated and various kinds of sweets and food items are offered to the deity. Unmarried girls keep fasts and pray to Lord Shiva for blessing them with a husband like him.

Another popular belief associated with Maha Shivratri is the legend of “Neelkantha”. According to this story, during Samudra Manthan, there was a tug of war between the Gods and Demons for the divine Nector. Both the parties wanted to drink the nectar but it could not be obtained until someone drank the poison. There was chaos everywhere due to the War between Gods and demons.

So, in order to save the Universe from destruction, Lord Shiva drank the poison. To save Lord Shiva, Parvati along with the other Lords stood awake all night and tried to keep Lord Shiva also awake to protect him from the harmful effects of the poison. Nobody ate or drank anything the whole night. Lord Shiva was saved but his throat turned blue. Since then, he is recognized as “Neelkantha” and the night is celebrated as the night of Maha Shivratri. People keep fasts for the whole day to show their love and devotion for the sacrifice of Lord Shiva made for the world and celebrate the occasion at night by offering delicious food.

According to legends, Lord Shiva is the Supreme power. Truth, Tranquility, Innocence and Beauty all reside in Lord Shiva.

Here is the Shiv Chalisa for you:

Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan

Mangal Mul Sujan

Kahat Ayodhya Das Tum Dev Abhaya

Varadan

Jai Girija Pati Dinadayala

Sada Karat Santan Pratipala

Bhala Chandrama Sohat Nike Kanan

Kundal Nagaphani Ke

Anga Gaur Shira Ganga Bahaye

Mundamala Tan Chhara Lagaye

Vastra Khala Baghambar Sohain Chhavi

Ko Dekha Naga Muni Mohain

Maina Matu Ki Havai Dulari

Vama Anga Sohat Chhavi Nyari

Kara Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari Karat

Sada Shatrun Chhayakari

Nandi Ganesh Sohain Tahan Kaise

Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise

Kartik Shyam Aur Ganara-U Ya Chhavi

Ko Kahi Jata Na Kauo

Devan Jabahi Jaya Pukara

Tabahi Dukha Prabhu Apa Nivara

Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari Devan Sab Mili

Tumahi Juhari

Turata Shadanana Apa Pathayau

Lava-Ni-Mesh Mahan Mari Girayau

Apa Jalandhara Asura Sanhara Suyash

Tumhara Vidit Sansara

Tripurasur Sana Yudha Machayi

Sabhi Kripakar Lina Bachayi

Kiya Tapahin Bhagiratha Bhari Purva

Pratigya Tasu Purari

Danin Mahan Tum Sama Kou Nahin

Sevak Astuti Karat Sadahin

Veda Nam Mahima Tab Gayaee Akatha

Anandi Bhed Nahin Payee

Pragate Udadhi Mantan Men Jvala

Jarat Sura-Sur Bhaye Vihala

Kinha Daya Tahan Kari Sahayee

Nilakantha Tab Nam Kahayee

Pujan Ramchandra Jab Kinha

Jiti Ke Lanka Vibhishan Dinhi

Sahas Kamal Men Ho Rahe Dhari Kinha

Pariksha Tabahin Purari

Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joi

Kushal-Nain Pujan Chaha Soi

Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar

Bhaye Prasanna Diye-Ichchhit Var

Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi

Karat Kripa Sabake Ghat Vasi

Dushta Sakal Nit Mohin Satavai

Bhramat Rahe Mohin Chain Na Avai

Trahi-Trahi Main Nath Pukaro

Yahi Avasar Mohi Ana Ubaro

Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro

Sankat Se Mohin Ana Ubaro

Mata Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi

Sankat Men Puchhat Nahin Koi

Svami Ek Hai Asha Tumhari

Ava Harahu Aba Sankat Bhari

Dhan Nirdhan Ko Deta Sadahin

Jo Koi Janche So Phal Pahin

Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karai Tumhari

Kshamahu Nath Aba Chuka Hamari

Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nishan

Vighna Vinashan Mangal Karan

Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavan

Sharad Narad Shisha Navavain

Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaya

Sura Brahmadik Par Na Paya

Jo Yah Patha Karai Man Lai

Tapar Hota Hai Shambhu Sahayee

Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari

Patha Karai So Pavan Hari

Putra-hin Ichchha Kar Koi

Nischaya Shiva Prasad Tehin Hoi

Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lavai

Dhyan-Purvak Homa Karavai

Trayodashi Vrat Kare Hamesha

Tan Nahin Take Rahe Kalesha

Dhupa Dipa Naivedya Charhavai

Anta Vasa Shivapur Men Pavai

Kahai Ayodhya Asha Tumhari

Jani Sakal Dukha Harahu Hamari

Nitya Nema kari Pratahi

Patha karau Chalis

Tum Meri Man Kamana

Purna Karahu Jagadish

 

Om Shivaya Namaa

Summary

Article Name

Maha Shivratri 2021 – Read The Shiv Chalisa, Story and How to Keep Fast

Description

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival which is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva who was the first Adi guru, the discoverer of truth and bliss. Read the article to know how to keep fast on Maha Shivratri,why this festival is celebrated and Shiv Chalisa.

Author

Aayushi Naamdev

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