{"id":1094,"date":"2021-03-10T12:10:02","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T12:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railrecipe.com\/blog\/?p=1094"},"modified":"2024-02-28T14:27:44","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T14:27:44","slug":"maha-shivratri-significance-and-importance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.railrecipe.com\/blog\/maha-shivratri-significance-and-importance\/","title":{"rendered":"Maha Shivratri | Significance and Importance | Shiva Temples in India"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maha Shivratri, \u201cThe Great Night of Lord Shiva<\/strong>\u201d is the most significant festival in India\u2019s spiritual calendar. Lord Shiva is also known as Neelkanth, Rudra, Bholenath, Bhole Baba, Shiv Shankar, Mahakal, and many other countless names and has a shrine in every nook and corner of the world. Maha Shivratri is one such great event that is celebrated by the Hindus in great admiration of Lord Shiva. It is a day to commemorate the marriage of Lord Shiva and Lord Parvati. Apart from being a major festival for Lord Shiva devotees, Maha Shivratri<\/strong>\u00a0is also one of the prominent Hindu festivals.<\/p>\n

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As per the Indian calendar, Mahashivratri is celebrated every year on the 13th night or 14th day of the Phalguna month which mostly falls in February or sometimes in March. This year Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on March 8, 2024 <\/strong>with great dedication across India.<\/p>\n

Why Maha Shivratri is Celebrated?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The 14th day of every Phalguna month is known as Maha Shivratri<\/strong>. Among all the twelve Shivratri, Mahashivratri occurs once in a calendar year. Mahashivratri, the one Indian festival that occurs in February-March month is of the most divine significance. On this festival night, the northern region of the planet is situated in such a way that there is a natural rise of energy in a soul. This is a day when nature is pushing one towards one\u2019s divine peak. To allow this natural upsurge of energies to find their way, one of the crucial of this nightlong carnival is to ensure that you remain awake with your spine vertical throughout the night.<\/p>\n

Spiritual Significance of Mahashivratri<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here are some of the spiritual significances of Mahashivratri:<\/p>\n

Celebrating the Divine Union<\/strong>: According to Hindu mythology, Mahashivratri marks the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati, the divine feminine energy. The marriage of Shiva and Parvati symbolizes the union of the masculine and feminine energies, the union of the individual soul with the universal soul. Thus, Mahashivratri celebrates the divine union and represents the ultimate union of the soul with the Supreme.<\/p>\n

Overcoming darkness<\/strong>: Mahashivratri is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalguna, which represents the darkest night of the year. The festival signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is believed that on this night, Lord Shiva overcame the darkness and ignorance in the world by consuming the poison that came out of the churning of the ocean, thus making the world a better place.<\/p>\n

Renunciation and Meditation<\/strong>: Lord Shiva is considered the ultimate yogi and an epitome of renunciation. On Mahashivratri, devotees fast and meditate, trying to emulate Lord Shiva’s discipline and detachment from material desires. It is believed that by meditating on this night, one can attain spiritual bliss and connect with the divine.<\/p>\n

Awakening of Consciousness<\/strong>: Lord Shiva is also known as the god of destruction as he destroys the old to create new. Mahashivratri signifies the destruction of old habits, thoughts, and patterns that hinder spiritual growth. By fasting, meditating, and chanting on this night, devotees aim to awaken their consciousness and achieve spiritual growth.<\/p>\n

Also, read: Special Diwali Foods You Can Order on Train<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lord Shiva Magnificent Temples in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In order to celebrate Mahashivratri at various\u00a0Lord Shiva temples in India<\/strong>, we have compiled a comprehensive list of temples devoted to this deity. Scroll through and visit as many temples as you can, since the festival also falls on a long weekend this year.<\/p>\n