The Hindu Custom and Tradition of Maha Shivaratri
Gary Nguyen has beautifully described in an elaborate manner, the most sacred and pious festival of the Hindus – the Maha Shivaratri, which is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, meaning the Great God and the Auspicious One. Lord Shiva – the transformer, is one of the three Trinities of the Hindu religion, while the other two being Brahma – the Creator and Vishnu – the preserver. Apart from just being celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, this festival also marks the marriage between Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who is known as the Shakthi, meaning the power. This festival is celebrated on the new moon night of the Hindu month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar.
As per the evidence suggested by the Hindu mythology, this day is believed as being the most favorite day of the deity and the entire 24 hour period of this day is regarded as being highly sacred and auspicious. It is on this day that the Lord had ascended down to Earth and manifested himself in the form of a ‘linga,’ and people offer worships to this sacred incarnation of the lord, the Shiva Linga. Another account that depicts the greatness of this particular day is that it is believed that the Lord had consumed the poison, which was a by-product of the sea and had blocked the same in his throat in order to save the earth from being destroyed by the demons.
Works Cited
Nguyen, Gary. A Look at the Hindu Maha Shivaratri Festival. 06 March 2016. Web. 07 March 2016. <http://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/hinduism/a-look-at-the-hindu-maha-shivaratri-festival>.
