A night of all nights in the spiritual calendar of Hindus
View(s):By Udumbara Udugama
Maha Shivaratri which was celebrated on Friday, is the worship and expression of devotion to Lord Shiva. Along with Hindus in Sri Lanka, Maha Shivaratri or the ‘Great Night of Shiva’ is celebrated on a large scale in India and Nepal. Chief Trustee for the past 35 years of the well known Sri Selva Vinayagar Kovil in Kandy Krishnamoorti Govindasamy, explained the significance and the rituals performed at their overnight vigil on Maha Shivaratri.
Devotees at Sri Selva Vinayagar Kovil in Kandy
Devotees fast and arrive for the special Maha Shivaratri puja which starts in the afternoon and continues throughout the night. “The Abhishek of the icons of Lord Shiva takes place with king coconut water, honey, milk, turmeric and water. The devotees chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and continue to sing bhajans (devotional songs) in praise of Lord Shiva. Every two hours there is a special puja where many rituals are performed by lighting oil lamps, offering flowers, milk, sweets, fruit etc. There is also a 108 Hakgedi puja where conch shells are placed strategically by an officiating priest while the bhajans are sung. At dawn, around four a.m, the final rituals are performed and the devotees break their fast. Finally they partake of the prasadam, the offerings that were made to Lord Shiva.”
Every fortnight is a Shivaratri in the Hindu calendar but the most important is the Maha Shivaratri, celebrated in February-March every year – which falls on a moonless night. Devotees keep vigil the whole night meditating on the virtues of Lord Shiva. They learn self-restraint by fasting. Women consider it a special festival. Married women believe that by observing a fast and performing Shiva Puja, their marriage will prosper while unmarried women believe they will be able to get an ideal husband – like Lord Shiva.
Hindu Puranas (ancient texts) present many different myths and legends about Maha Shivaratri festival. One relates the story of a poor tribesman who was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Going into the forest to collect firewood, he lost his way. He heard the growls of wild animals and climbed a woodapple tree for safety. Afraid that he would fall asleep and fall off the tree, he plucked a leaf at a time and dropped it while chanting the name of Shiva. In the morning he saw that he had dropped a thousand leaves on to a Lingam at the foot of the tree. Lord Shiva was pleased with this unwitting worship and he and his tribe were blessed by Shiva.
This legend explains the all night worship of Shiva on Maha Shivaratri.