Maha Shivarathri, the holiest Hindu festival

By P. Krishnaswamy

Hindus all over the world celebrate today the holiest Hindu festival Maha Shivarathri or Shivarathri, observing a perfect fast and the night consecrated to Lord Shiva, the supreme God of Hinduism.

The festival falls on the moonless, 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun (in the month of February - March, according to English Calendar).

In Sri Lanka the three historical temples - The Munneswaram temple in Chilaw, Thirukketheeswaram temple in Mannar and Koneswaram temple in Trincomalee - which are mentioned in ancient Hindu devotional songs are thronged with thousands of devotees from all over the island every year.

Gurukkals and priests in the temples perform the pujas according to the scriptures, dividing the night into four 'samams' or sessions.

Every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, curd, honey, ghee, and water amidst the chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya' and ringing of temple bells.

The festival is celebrated in all temples but special focus is on temples where Lord Shiva is the presiding deity.

The absolute formless God, Sadhashiva appeared in the form of "LÓLingodbhava Moorthi" exactly at midnight on Maha Shivratri.

That is why all Shiva devotees keep vigil during the night of Shivratri and do "Shivlingam abhishekham" (coronation of the phaphallic idol ) at midnight.

Married

According to one other most popular legends, Shivarathri is the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. Lord Shiva was married to Devi Parvathi on Shivarathri.

Remember Shiva minus Parvati is pure 'Nirgun Brahman'. With his illusive power, (Maya, Parvathi) He becomes the "Sagun Brahman" for the purpose of the pious devotion of his devotees.

It is also believed that Lord Shiva performed 'Thandavam', the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction on this auspicious night of Shivarathri.

On Maha Shivarathri devotees wake up early in the morning and take a bath. After wearing fresh clothes, they visit the nearest Shiva temple, to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingam (with milk, honey, water etc).

The worship continues the whole day and whole night.

Devotees sing hymns and devotional songs, in praise of Lord Shiva.

Those who observe the Mahashivratri fast only break their fast the next morning, and eat the prasad (food offerings) offered to Shiva.

God in his manifestation as Vishnu made his appearance as Krishna at Gokul at midnight, 180 days after Shivrathri, commonly known as Janmasthami.

Thus, the circle of one year is divided into two by these two auspicious days of the Hindu Calendar.

It is also believed that on Shivratri, Lord Shiva became 'Neelkandan ' or the blue-throated by swallowing the deadly poison that came up during the churning of "Pal Kadal (Kshir Sagar) or the milky ocean.

The poison was so deadly that even a drop in His stomach, which represents the universe, would have annihilated the entire world.

Hence, He held it in His neck, which turned blue due to the effect of poison.

Shivrathri is therefore also considered a day of thanksgiving to the Lord for protecting us from annihilation.

Poison

The 14th shlokam of the Shivamahimna Sthothra says: "O three eyed Lord, when the poison came up through the churning of the ocean by the gods and demons, they were all aghast with fear as if the untimely end of all creation was imminent.

In your kindness, you drank all the poison that still makes your throat blue.

O Lord, even this blue mark does but increase your glory.

What is apparently a blemish becomes an ornament in one intent on ridding the world of fear."

Let us pray for peace, harmony and prosperity to our beloved Sri Lanka on this most auspicious day.