38% DA from 1.7.2022 to CG Employees & PensionersMaha Shivratri is one of India’s splendid and most important religious festivals. The celebration honors the powerful Lord Shiva, regarded as the Adi Guru or the First Guru and the source of the Yogic tradition. Also, Maha Shivaratri is a celebration dedicated to the union of lord Shiva, the Hindu god, and Parvati, the “mother goddess,” who is Shiva’s wife. In other words, it is a divine union of energy and knowledge.
It falls on the 13th night and 14th day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, which is believed to be Shiva’s “favorite day of the year.” Unlike most Hindu rituals, which are celebrated during the day, Shivaratri is an all-night devotional period kept up by Shiva worshippers on the 13th of Phalguna, which is known as “the glorious night of Shiva.”
Hindus fast all day long on Phalguna 14th. Additionally, they offer lord Shiva flowers, betel tree leaves, and fruits. Furthermore, they burn incense and sacred light lamps, bathe in the holy Ganges to purify the mind, body, and soul, practice yoga, and continuously chant “Om Namah Shivaya.” Mahadev is worshipped and prayed to throughout the night to remember the occasion when he rescued the world from ignorance, symbolized by darkness.
This auspicious day has different significance for different people. Some people think Mahashivratri represents the love, passion, and unity of powerful couples like Shiv and Parvati. Shiva and Shakti are two forms of the same energy; they are only complete and more powerful when combined. This symbolizes that marriage is about both people being in a committed relationship and growing stronger through every stage of life.
It is also strongly believed by Indians that if an unmarried girl keeps fast on this auspicious day and worships lord Shiva, she will get an ideal husband like him. Also, married women pray for the longevity of their husbands.
For sadhus, this day holds great significance as they believe that Lord Shiva became a yogi on this day, the Adi guru or the founding guru of the yogis.
In 2023, this sacred festival falls on 18th February 2023, a Saturday.
The auspicious festival is performed during the Nishita Kaal, from 12:16 am to 01:06 am, which falls on 19th February.
Stay clear with the dates. The Chaturdashi tithi begins on 18th February at 08:02 pm and ends on 19th February 2023 at 04:18 pm.
Do you want to spend this special festival celebrating lord Shiva and goddess Parvati with other devotees?
Then Reserve your seat and join Sadhguru for the entire night-long Mahashivratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga Center on 18th February from 6 pm to 6 am IST.