How are rituals of Maha Shivratri pooja performed?
Mahashivratri pooja is dedicated to Lord Shiva. As per the Hindu religious calendar, it is celebrated on Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi. This comes in the month of Feb or March. It is a very popular Hindu festival and is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is considered to be the destroyer of all things. Having both gentle and very fierce forms, Lord Shiva is believed to be the one who grants fertility to all the life forms which are essential for the continuity of life.
The rituals of Maha Shivaratri pooja demand strict sincerity and devotion from the devotees. A fast has to be observed throughout the day, which can only be broken on the next morning. Lord Shiva is worshipped throughout the day and night. The day begins with the devotees waking up early and having bath followed by prayers to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and the Sun God. The all the devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to worship Lord Shiva in the traditional way.
Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Shivlinga, which is bathed with different items as prescribed in the Hindu scriptures. The different items used are milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water. Milk signifies purity and piousness, yoghurt is believed to bring prosperity and progeny, honey brings sweetness of speech, ghee is believed to bring victory and bravery, sugar brings happiness and water is used as a sign of purity. After bathing the Shivlinga with all these items, a thick paste of all these items is applied on it.
The worship of Lord Shiva is continued throughout the day, with countless number of devotees visiting the Shiva Temples to offer their prayers and respects. The religious ceremony reaches its peak in the night-time. The rituals of Maha Shivaratri Pooja consist of performing Bhajans and kirtans by the devotees throughout the night who spend the night in Shiva temples and continuously worship Lord Shiva till the morning. The sacred mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” is continuously chanted, accompanied with songs and verses in praise of Lord Shiva. The priests after performing nightlong worship of Lord Shiva give the Prasad to the devotees in the morning to break their fast. The Prasad is generally in the form of dry-fruits, coconut or seasonal fruits.
In this Year Maha Shivaratri date is 20 February 2012 Monday.
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