In praise of Maheshwara…
The festival of Mahashivaratri, which will be celebrated on the 23rd of February this year, is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. It is said that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on this auspicious day of Shivaratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.
According to our sacred scriptures, the ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivaratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most. This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when the Goddess Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most. Even till date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivaratri with care and devotion. Devotees fast throughout the day and perform the sacred bathing ritual of the Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc. Hindus consider it extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on Shivaratri as it is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity washes a devotee of past sins and liberates one from the cycle of rebirth.
Mahashivaratri is also considered to be an extremely significant festival by women. Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ - one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband.
Soft Times wishes our readers a very happy and festive Shivaratri.
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