Maha shivaratri

8th March 2024
 Shivaratri, or Mahashivratri, is the night of Shiva and one of the most auspicious days dedicated to Lord Shiva. The day and night is for devotion and prayer to Siva. Maha Shivratri is the day when prayers and worship are given more importance. There is no fun or merrymaking as in other Hindu festivals.Always remember that the origin of Shivratri is traced to a hunter who was an ardent Shiva Bhakta.

Maha Shivaratri Puja :

Although there are many fasts for Lord Shiva, the 'Monday fast' observed on Mondays, the 'Kedara Gauri fast' which coincides with the Deepavali new moon, the 'Thiruvathirai fast' which falls in the month of Markazhi, the 'Basupada fast which falls on the month of Thai' and the 'Umamageswara fast' which falls in the month of Panguni. 'Maha Shivaratri' is the main festival of tea ceremony.

During a deluge, all living beings created by Brahma became extinct. On that service night, Goddess Parvati remembered Lord Shiva and worshiped him in all the four jamas according to the rules of Agama.

That night is called `Maha Shivaratri '. At the end of the worship, Lord Shiva appeared before Parvati. From the time the sun sets on that day until the dawn of the next day, give all the blessings to those who worship you and bless Moksha at the end.

How to do Maha Shivaratri Pooja at Home :

On the day of Shivaratri, one should have food, avoid luxuries and worship Lord Shiva heartily. Just thinking of Shiva will change our life. On Shivaratri, one should get up early in the morning, take a bath and complete the morning pujas at sunrise.

After that, you can go to Shiva temples and perform darshan. When you come home after the temple darshan, you have to clean the place for Shivaratri Puja and decorate it with garlands. Bath during the day and complete the peak pujas. After that, go to the temple and return home after giving as much as possible of flowers, fruits, young water, etc. for the Shivratri Puja to be held there.

When he returned home, he bathed again and finished the evening prayers. Puja can be performed in all the four jamas by placing the Shivalinga on a high pedestal in an already cleansed and decorated place. Or you can attend the four Jama Shiva Pujas held in the temples.

Stories about Shivaratri :

At the end of an age, all the living beings converged on Shiva to cause the Great Flood. The universes do not move at all. Then everything came to a standstill. Mother Parvati, who is full of life, repented to Lord Shiva in all the four jamas in order to move the immovable universe and revive life. Descending into the meditation of Ambika, Lord Shiva recreated all the worlds that were confined to him and created life. Goddess Parvati looked at Lord Shiva and said, "Prabho. On this auspicious day, Adiyan praises you and prays that you may attain the name of 'Shivaratri' and attain salvation in fullness. May Lord Shiva bless you to do the same.

Another Story :

A hunter went into the woods to hunt. Wandering in many parts of the forest, he could not find even an animal. It is still dark. Since the tiger is a nomadic forest, he climbed a tree and sat down. It is an archery tree. Then one of the tigers came around the tree. He did not sleep because he could fall on the tree and fall prey to the tiger. He had to pluck the leaves from the tree and put them down to keep from falling asleep.

All the leaves he had planted were falling on the Shivalingam under the tree. That day is Maha Shivaratri. He had been awake all night without knowing himself and had placed a bowed leaf on the Shivalingam and worshiped and adored it. Legend has it that he was saved because of it. So because we fast on Maha Shivaratri, the sins committed unknowingly and the sins committed knowingly will leave us.

Shivaratri Celebration :

Maha Shivaratri was celebrated with much fanfare at Thillaiyambalam where the king of Adal, Lord Shiva, danced with joy. A large number of devotees attended the special worship held there and worshiped Natarajar. Also, dancers from different parts of the country paid homage to Bharatanatyam Audi Eeswarar.

Maha Shivaratri celebrations were also held at the famous Peruvadiyar Temple in Thanjavur. The temple, which was recently consecrated, was beautifully decorated. A large number of devotees attended the special worship of Lord Shiva on the occasion of Shivaratri.

There was also a Natyanjali ceremony. Mahasivarathri was celebrated at the ancient Nellaiyappar Temple in Nellai. Crowds of devotees took part in the famous Shivalaya procession in the Kanyakumari district. This spiritual flow which started the day before Shivaratri ended on the night of Shivaratri at Nattalam Sankaranarayanar Temple.

Special anointings and worships were performed at the Karuvadikkuppam Kurusithananda Temple in Pondicherry on the eve of Maha Shivaratri with various items including milk and sandalwood for the Shivalingam. Also, a Natyanjali was held at the temple premises.

Maha Shivaratri was also celebrated in Chennai. Various special worships were held throughout the night at the ancient Kabaliswarar Temple in Mylapore. Devotees gathered at the temple premises and sang songs to worship Lord Shiva.

On the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, a grand ceremony was held at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. The ceremony stage was set up in front of the 112-foot-tall statue of Adiyogi. As part of the festival, an exhibition on country cows was also held. Gopuja was conducted for the cows. The Maha Shivaratri festival began with the Panchaputra worship at Dhyanalingam.

Rudraksha :

One-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Shiva 

 Ruling Planet: All 

 Beeja Mantra: Om Namah Shivaya 

 This 1 face Rudraksha is rare and is considered to be a form of Shiva. He who has it has no enemies. Lakshmi does not go away from the place where he is worshiped and there is no disturbance anywhere. This rare bead is only worn by those who have attained divine karmas and the grace of Lord Shiva. 

 Two-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Ardhanarishvara 

 Ruling Planet: Chandra 

 Beeja Mantra : Om Namaha

 This 2 Face Rudraksha is considered to be the combined form of Shiva Parvati. By eliminating fear and insecurity, happiness and fulfillment can be achieved. This increases concentration and brings peace. Rudraksha can be used to remove the malefic effects of Chandra and to balance emotional instability.

 Three-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Agni 

 Ruling Planet: Surya 

 Beeja Mantra : Om Kleem Namaha 

 It is said that wearing this 3 Face Rudraksha in the form of fire does not cause any disorder and brings wealth and money is not wasted. Three Mukhi are said to attain Moksha, and the wearer would never have to take another birth. They also help heal stomach, skin, and liver ailments.

 Four-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Bruhaspati 

Ruling Planet: Jupiter 

Beeja Mantra: Om Hreem Namaha

 This 4 face Rudraksha is the enemy of time and its worship does not cause premature death. Knowledge and creativity are bestowed upon the wearer. Retentive power is developed. It also helps in developing melodious speech.

 Five-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Kalagnirudra 

Ruling Planet: Jupiter 

Beeja Mantra: Om Hreem Namaha

 A  5 face Rudraksha mukhis represents Kalagnirudra. Rudraksha's five Mukhi are directly related to Lord Shiva's five faces: Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Tatpurusha, Aghora, and Ishana. A direct blessing from Lord Shiva is bestowed on the wearer. 

 Six-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity : Kartikeya 

 Ruling Planet: Mars 

 Beeja Mantra: Om Hreem Hoom Namaha 

 The 6 Face Rudraksha is related by Lord Kartikeya. Worship of 6 face rudraksha gives All the deities are blessed. In addition to offering stability in life, self-confidence, and focus, it also provides focus and confidence. Weaver has a closer connection with the earth and acquires assets like land and vehicles 

 Seven-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Lakshmi 

 Ruling Planet: Venus 

 Beeja Mantra: Om Hum Namaha 

 This 7 Face Rudraksha represents Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Its worship pleases six mothers, seven horses, and seven sages. Through Aishvaryeshvara by Shiva and Mahalakshmi, the wearer overcomes poverty and attains wealth and prosperity; as a result, he obtains wealth and prosperity.

 Eight-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Ganesha 

 Ruling Planet: Ketu 

 Beeja Mantra: Om Hum Namaha 

 In Hinduism, the 8 Face Rudraksha Rudraksha represents the eight elephant directions, which protect us from all harm and obstacles. The wearer gets a lot of life. It is recommended to wear this Rudraksha for restlessness, snakebite, skin diseases, secret diseases, and other elements.

 Nine-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Durga 

 Ruling Planet: Rahu 

 Beeja Mantra: Om Hreem Namaha

This 9 Face Rudraksha is worshiped to understand the nature of Kalbhairava, to avoid obstacles, pain. Ear diseases, for offspring, abdominal pain, infectious diseases are held for peace.

 Ten-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Vishnu 

 Ruling Planet: All Planets 

 Beeja Mantra: Om Hreem Namaha 

 It is calculated in the form of Janardhana 10 Face Rudraksha himself is Janardhana Deva and all desires are fulfilled when he is held. Wearing it on the body removes the fear of vampires, Brahmarakshas, snakes, etc.

 Eleven-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Ekadashi Rudras 

 Ruling Planet: All 

 Beeja Mantra: Om Hreem Hum Namaha 

 Indradevata and 11 Face Rudraksha are pleased with their worship. Worshiping gives the virtue of Ashwamegh Yajna. Gynecology, musculoskeletal disorders, and semen disorders.

 Twelve-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Surya 

 Ruling Planet: Sun 

 Beeja Mantra : Om Krom Kshaum Raum Namaha 

 Mahavishnu is pleased by worshiping this Rudraksha in the form of the sun. 12 Face Rudraksha bearer is like Aditya. This is Vishnu. This brings health and eliminates the fear of fire and violent animals. It increases brilliance and prosperity.

 Thirteen-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Kamadeva 

 Ruling Planet: Venus 

 Beeja Mantra: Om Hreem Namaha

The thirteen-faced Rudraksha bearer is like Vishwedevas. And because of him, all desires are fulfilled. Cupid is satisfied by worshiping and wearing it. It benefits in charm, beauty, and prosperity. Helps to get rid of bladder, impotence, fetal diseases, kidney, and liver-related diseases.

 Fourteen-Face Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Hanuman 

 Ruling Planet: Saturn 

 Beeja Mantra : Om Namaha 

 The 14 faced Rudraksha is the supreme form of Shiva, and wearing it on one's head destroys all sins. It is considered to be the form of Hanuman. Tantra protects from spells, tricks, ghosts, vampires. Beneficial for problems like asceticism, restlessness, fear, paralysis, cancer, ghost haunt.

Gaurishankar Rudraksha :

 Presiding Deity: Shiva and Parvati 

 Ruling Planet: Sun 

 Beeja Mantra: Om Shree Gauri Hreem

 In this Gauri Shankar Rudraksha, Two beads are sometimes found on the same stalk, or three Rudrakshas appear on the same stalk, they are considered as Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, or Dattasvarupa.