Maha-Shivratri

Press Release
Scottsdale, AZ

Maha-Shivratri is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha as per Vikram Samvat Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon).

According to Vedic scripture, Maha-Shivratri is the most auspicious day according to Lord Shiva for Shivites. Followers of Lord Vishnu (Sri Ram Avtar or Sri Krishna Avtar) are considered Vishnuites (Vishnav Panthi); similarly followers of Lord Shiva are considered Shivites (Shiv Panthi).

Vedic Significance & Meaning

After the creation of the universe was complete, Mata-Parvati asked Lord Shiva which rituals pleased Lord Shiva> the most? Lord Shiva replied that the 13th night of the new moon, during the month of Maagha, is his most favorite day i.e Maha-Shivratri.

Maha-Shiv-Ratri: Maha is the "Big One", Shiv means auspiciousness, and Ratri means night; this is a day when we awake to the most auspicious truth within ourselves. Night stands for darkness i.e. ignorance, in which all beings sleep and then dream. Our present transmigratory existence and limited individuality is nothing but a big dream. Freedom is never by some unique or scintillating experiences in this dreamy realm of existence, but only by waking up to that which is not a product of our mind. That which is not a product of our mind is our Atma which is pure and ultimate source of our existence. Mandukya Upanishad also calls Atma as the non-relative truth of our existence and it is none other than Lord Shiva (Atma is Parmatma). This "non-relative truth state" of our existence is also referred to as the fourth state or "Turiya". Turiya state is the most auspicious one and it requires our understanding and recognizing our Aatma. When one is able to get to the Turiya state he or she will feel completely liberated and eventually this liberation is the ultimate goal of every human being - Moksha.

The other three states apart from the Turiya are being awake, dreaming and the deep sleep state. Awake - when we turn extrovert and try to get experiences from our surrounding. Dreaming - revel in our imaginary world. Deep sleep state - when we just switch off completely and rest i.e. we are not awake or dreaming. The fact that the special sadhana of the Maha-Shivratri day has been kept for night implies that we need to simulate deep sleep, i.e. no flights of mind which happens while we are awake or in dreaming states. Turn away from all experiences, physical or mental and just focus inwards (become quiet and still) - No responsibilities, no desires, no burden to achieve anything, no roles to play, no regrets, no aspirations - just as in deep sleep, but doing all of this consciously. When all relative roles and their corresponding thoughts are kept aside and the mind is quiet, then that which remains is not a product of your mind - you have achieved Shiv tattva or the Turiya state of existence which is the most auspicious form or human existence. Once you have achieved the ability to experience and function in this forth state (Turiya) let this free and awakened mind respond to any situation around, and you will only feel the fragrance of auspiciousness in everything you do (physical and/or mental). Achieving (even attempting to achieve) the Turiya state is the real underlying celebration of Maha-Shivratri.

How to Celebrate?

The devotees of Lord Shiva should preferably do the following things on this day.

  1. Observe fast on this day, taking only fruits & milk (if possible).
  2. Participate in darshan and elaborate pujan of Lord Shiva by performing Rudrabhisheka primarily with milk and/or water. Chant various hymns & bhajan of Lord Shiva.
  3. Use this day to bring to your mind the infinite ways by which your life has been blessed. In our obsession with thinking about what all I do not have we fail to see the numerous ways in which we are so positively blessed. The fact that you can read this article right now is a great blessing, just ask or think about someone who is blind or is unable to see. Feel truly blessed & gratified and express your thanks & devotion at the feet of Lord Shiva by chanting the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" as many times as you can.
  4. Perform meditation (Dhyana) for as long as you can by chanting the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya". Ultimate goal of your meditation should be to reach the state of Turiya described earlier in this article.
  5. Attempt to be more introvert on this day contemplating about the various truths (facts) of life. This will also help you with the meditation desire to reach the physical and mental state of Turiya.

Maha-Shivratri Celebration at Hindu Temple

Have you seen Shiv-ling made with Ghee in the form of a lotus? ... Yes Ghee-Kamadh Shiv-Ling darshan will take place at the Hindu Temple of Arizona on Maha-Shivratri day. Do not miss out this unique opportunity...

Everyone is cordially invited to join and celebrate the auspicious event of Maha-Shivratri which actually falls on 12th Feb 2010 (Friday) this year. Celebration details are as follows: -

Temple Address

Program Details

Maha-Shivratri event is being sponsored by Kamleshbhai & Deepaben Patel, feel free to contact them for additional information at (602) 465-5728.