Maha Shivratri 2019 Date And Time:

by sunil gavaskar clan member

This year the auspicious night of Maha Shivratri falls on the 4^th of March 2019. The Maha Shivratri Muhurta for this year is as follows:

Maha Shivratri Nishita Kaal Puja Time = 24:25 to 25:15, Duration = 0 Hours 49 Mins

On 5th, Maha Shivaratri Parana Time = 06:59 to 15:46

Story of Maha Shivratri: Legends of Lord Shiva’s Great Night:

A day before the new moon or the fourteenth day of every lunar month is known as Shivratri. Mahashivratri is one of the most significant Shivratris among all the other twelve Shivratris that occur in a calendar year. Maha Shivratri occurs in February-March and holds immense spiritual significance. The ancient Holy Scriptures mentions many multiple legends which are associated with the auspicious Maha Shivratri. According to a popular legend, there was once a hunter, he wandered in the woods for days but could not find anything that he could kill and eat. So, he climbed up the Wood-apple tree and waited patiently in the hope to trace a deer. There was a Shiv lingam beneath the Wood-apple tree, unaware of this fact; the hunter started throwing leaves of the tree on the ground to attract the deer. These leaves fell on the Shiv lingam and Lord Shiva was appeased with the Wood-apple leaves and with the patience of the hunter. Lord Shiva appeared in front of the hunter and blessed him with enhanced wisdom. From that moment, the hunter stopped eating meat.

According to another legend, once Goddess Parvati prayed to Lord Shiva to save the Earth which was heading towards imminent destruction. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Shiva agreed to save the Earth by prophesying that the people of the Earth would worship him with great admiration, respect and devotion on this day. From that day, the night came to be known as Maha Shivratri.

Shiva In Shiva Purana:

The Shiva Purana is one of the most revered Sanskrit texts in Hinduism. It is also one of the eighteen Purana genres. The Shiv Purana revolves around the Supreme, God of Gods, Lord Shiva and His consort Goddess Parvati. The Shiv Purana also revers all other Gods and Goddesses while focusing on Lord Shiva. The chapters in Shiva Purana contains Shiva-centered cosmology, mythology, relationship between Gods, Yoga, ethics, Tirtha (pilgrimage) sites, bhakti, rivers and geography, and other topics.

Why is it important to fast on Maha Shivratri

Fasting is one of the prime procedures that any devotee of Lord Shiva follows on Mahashivratri day. In India, most of the people fast on the day of Maha Shivratri. The significance of this fast is that, it is observed all throughout the day and night, unlike other Hindu festivals, where after performing the puja of the deity, food is consumed. Detoxification and Purification of the body is done through Fasting is important as it detoxifies the body and purifies the mind. Once the body is detoxified and purified, the mind becomes alert and once the mind is alert and at peace, one can meditate will full concentration.

Shiva Mantras

Lord Shiva Prayer – I

Om Sarva Mangal Manglaye Shivay Sarvaarth Sadhike

Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayaani Namostu Te

Lord Shiva Prayer – II

Om Namastestu Bhagavan

Visvesaraya Mahadevaya

Trayambakaya Tripurantakaya

Trikagni – Kalaya

Kalagni – Rudraya Nil – Kanthaya Mrityunjaya

Sarvesvaraya Sadadhivaya

Sriman Mahadevaya Namah.