Shivaratri

Shivaratri

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivratri is observed on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha every year on the month of Phalguna or Maagh according to the Hindu calendar. Mahashivratri is not only one of the magnificent festivals in India but also in Nepal and other regions where Lord Shiva is worshipped. Devotees on this day remain on fast or perform hour long spiritual meditation by following rituals to commemorate Mahashivratri and be blessed with grace. The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-long vigil.

After creation was complete, Parvati asked Lord Shiva which devotees and rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phalgun, is his most favourite day. Parvati repeated these words to her friends, from whom the word spread over all creation.

Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as :

• Shiva Aarti
• Shiva Chalisa
• Shivashtakam
• Shiva Sloka
• Shiva Gayatri Mantra
• MahaMritunjay Mantra
• Shiva Panchakshra Stotra 
• Dwadasa Jyothir Linga Stothram 
• SadaShivashtakam 
• Shankarashtakam 
• Pasupathyashtakam 
• Shiva Thandava Stotram 
• Ardhanarishwara Shatnama Stotram
• Bilwashtakam
• Ardhanarishwara Ashtakam
• Shiva Shadakshara Stotram
• Uma Maheswara Stotram
• Vaidyanatha Ashtakam
• Lingashtakam
• Shiva-kailasa astottara-shata-nama-vali

are sung with great fervour and devotion. People repeat the Om Namah Shivaya. He who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples.

नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय
भस्माङ्गरागाय महेश्वराय ।
नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगम्बराय
तस्मै नकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥१॥

Meaning: (Salutations to Him) Who has the King of Snakes as His Garland and Who has Three Eyes, Whose Body is Smeared with Sacred Ashes and Who is the Great Lord, Who is Eternal, Who is ever Pure and Who has the Four Directions as His Clothes, ( signifying that He is ever Free ), Salutations to that Shiva, Who is represented by syllable "Na", The first syllable of the Panchakshara mantra "Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya".

मन्दाकिनीसलिलचन्दनचर्चिताय
नन्दीश्वरप्रमथनाथमहेश्वराय ।
मन्दारपुष्पबहुपुष्पसुपूजिताय
तस्मै मकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥२॥

Meaning: (Salutations to Him) Who is Worshipped with Water from the River Mandakini and Smeared with Sandal Paste, Who is the Lord of Nandi and of the Ghosts and Goblins, the Great Lord, Who is Worshipped with Mandara and Many Other Flowers, Salutations to that Shiva, Who is represented by syllable "Ma", The second syllable of the Panchakshara mantra "Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya".

शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जबालसूर्याय
दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय ।
श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्वजाय
तस्मै शिकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥३॥

Meaning: (Salutations to Him) Who is Auspicious and Who is like the Newly Risen Sun Causing the Lotus-Face of Gauri (Devi Parvati) to Blossom, Who is the Destroyer of the Sacrifice (Yajna) of Daksha, Who has a Blue Throat and has a Bull as His Emblem, Salutations to that Shiva, Who is represented by syllable "Shi", The third syllable of the Panchakshara mantra "Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya".

वशिष्ठकुम्भोद्भवगौतमार्यमूनीन्द्रदेवार्चितशेखराय ।
चन्द्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनाय
तस्मै वकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥४॥

Meaning: (Salutations to Him) Who is Worshipped by the Best and most Respected Sages like Vashistha, Agastya and Gautama and also by the Gods and Who is the Crown of the Universe, (Salutations to Him) Who has the Chandra (Moon), Surya (Sun) and Agni (Fire) as His Three Eyes, Salutations to that Shiva, Who is represented by syllable "Va", The fourth syllable of the Panchakshara mantra "Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya".

यज्ञस्वरूपाय जटाधराय
पिनाकहस्ताय सनातनाय ।
दिव्याय देवाय दिगम्बराय
तस्मै यकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥५॥

Meaning: (Salutations to Him) Who is the Embodiment of Yajna (Sacrifice) and Who has Matted Hairs, Who has the Trident in His Hand and Who is Eternal, Who is Divine, Who is the Shining One and Who has the Four Directions as His Clothes (signifying that He is ever Free), Salutations to that Shiva, Who is represented by syllable "Ya", The fifth syllable of the Panchakshara mantra "Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya".

पञ्चाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसंनिधौ ।
शिवलोकमावाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥६॥

Meaning: Whoever Recites this Panchakshara (hymn in praise of the five syllables of Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya) near Shiva (Lingam), Will Attain the Abode of Shiva and enjoy His Bliss.