swagatam!!

Mahashivaratri means the great night of Lord Shiva and it is observed on the fourteenth lunar night or Chaturdasi of the dark fortnight called Krishna Paksh, in the Hindu month of Phalgun. This corresponds to late February and early March in the English calendar. Mahashivaratri’s time duration is such that the lunar day must pass through midnight in order for it to be considered as Mahashivaratri. The reason for the distinction is because in each month on the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight there is a Shivaratri but not a Mahashivaratri. Now that would make a total of eleven Shivaratris in one year but only one Mahashivaratri.

Mahashivaratri puja consists of four individual pujas. The first puja starts at sunset and with two hour intervals, the remaining three is done. The last puja must finish at midnight. A vigil or jagran is maintained all night until just before sunrise of the next morning. Bhajans and kirtan are sung in order to maintain this vigil and discourses relevant to the occasion are read.

Lord Shiva or Mahadeva in His abstract form or Lingam is the form in which He is worshipped. Devotees spend the day fasting and absorbed in devotion to Shiva. Milk is the primary article of worship for the first period whilst dahi or curds are offered at the second period interval. The third and fourth periods ghee or cow’s butter and honey are offered respectively. These four intervals would normally bring the proceedings close to midnight after which Maha Shiva Abhishekam takes place. This is the offering of Ganga Jal or pure water on the Lingam.

While the above mentioned articles of worship are important in the performance of this puja, as is so with the several unmentioned other articles of worship, it is Bael leaves or the leaves of the wood apple tree that are of most importance in any Mahashivaratri puja. Bael leaves are a favourite of Shiva and offering even one of these leaves brings some form of spiritual elevation to one who makes such an offering.