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Shiv Ratri celebrations is one of the most popular celebrations in India. Primarily a Hindu religious festival, each year the day is celebrated not only by the Indian wives, but also by the Indian husbands with utmost devotion. To talk about the origination of this festival, there is no concrete evidence in this regard. It is believed that Shiv Ratri appears on the pages of our 'Panji' (Almanac in English) on the 13th or 14th night of the appearance of the new moon during the period of Krishna Paksha. Shiv Ratri Festival is celebrated during the month of Falgun. As per the English calendar is concerned, the month varies, sometimes during February or sometime during March. From the Sanskrit literature, we find that the term 'Krishna Paksha' mean the period of descending moon on the dark fortnight.
If we turn the pages of Hindu Mythology, we find that 'Shiv Ratri' or "Shiva's Great Night" refers to the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that 'Shivaratri' is the night when 'Tandava Nritya'was performed by Lord Shiva. Tandav Nritya is the dance of very old creation, preservation and destruction. Festival is being celebrated in a traditional pattern, with devotees giving a ritual bath. The festival bears a special meaning for the ladies. The ladies, especially the married ones observe the day totally on fast. They pray at the Altar of Lord Shiva for the welfare and prosperity of their life's partner and also to have a peaceful marital life. The aged mothers observe the day just to bless for their children's prosperity and success in life.
Shiv Ratri is celebrated throughout whole night. As already repeated the devotees offer prayers at the pedestal of Lord Shiva. The prayers are made with fruits, vegetables and coconut. Special celebrations take place in some of the major Shiva Temples at Varanasi, Kalahasti in Andhra Pradesh, Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, Mathura and Vrindaban in Uttar Pradesh etc. As part of the celebrations, Mahashiva Ratri is also celebrated. In this celebration, the devotees, mostly women worship the Shivalingas. In case of Mahashiv Ratri, the religious devotees resort to fasting during the period of worship. To the married women, the day is considered as solemn. They pray at the Altar of Lord Shiva for the welfare and prosperity of their spouse and children. The unmarried women pray at the pedestal of Lord Shiva, to have husband like Lord Shiva.
In Andhra Pradesh, the celebrations take place at Sri Kalahasteshwara Temple at Kalaahasti and at Bharamarambha Malikarjunaswamy Temple at Sri Sailam. In Assam, the celebrations take place at Umananda Temple, based at Peacock Island, Guwahati. In Himachal Pradesh, the celebrations take place at Mandi. In Kashmir, Shiv Ratri celebrations take place for a period of 21 days. Locally the festival is known as Hur Ukdok. Here, Shiv Ratri celebrations are known as Hayrath. 'Hayrath' is a Persian word connoting 'utter surprise'. In Madhya Pradesh, Shiv Ratri is celebrated at Matangeswar Temple at Bundelkhand region. In Orissa, the celebrations take place at Lingaraj Temple, Hakateswar Temple, Atri. Shiv Temples are located at Mahendragiri, Gupteswar, Kapilas, Bhubuneswar and at Khiching. In West Bengal, during the period of celebrations, the ladies take to fast. In Kolkata, the celebrations take place in different temples in north, south and central hub of the city. The main celebrations take place at Tarakeswar, about 57 km from Kolkata.
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