Maha Shivaratri

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Hello all!! Today's post is about Maha Shivaratri!!



Maha Shivaratri or Har-ratri in Kashmir Shaivism is an annual festival that celebrates the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. It doesn't have a fixed date so the date of celebration changes from year to year but it is typically held on the night before a New Moon. It is a festival for overcoming darkness and ignorance within yourself and the world. 



Origins

This festival has been celebrating for a very long time and it has mentions in several medieval Shaiva texts. There are also several legends about the origins of this festival and what it represents. One legend states that Maha Shivaratri is the night on which Lord Shiva performs a heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction. 

Another legend is that Maha Shivaratri is actually the night that Shiva married Parvati. 

A third legend states that by annually offering icons (like a Lingam) to Lord Shiva, you can move forward from past sins, if you have any, and begin again on a righteous path to reach Mount Kailasha. 




Customs

Some of the customs of Maha Shivaratri include:

- Meditation, with a particular focus on ethics

- Chanting prayers

- Fasting

- Yoga

- Jagran (All night vigil)

- Puja (a worship ritual)

- Lingam (a devotional symbol/icon)

- Giving offerings to Lord Shiva




I think we'll leave this here!! I hope you've enjoyed this post!! If any of the information is incorrect or incomplete, please let me know so I can ammend it immediately!!



We have Shiva Lingam stones available from our store, if you find yourself in need of one! (Link at the bottom!)




Blessings,
C )0(
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

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