Mahashivratri 2023: The importance and significance of the festival

One of the most auspicious days Mahashivratri is celebrated every year in order to honour Lord Shiva the God of destruction and regeneration lsquoMahashivratrirsquo signifies lsquoThe GreatNight of Lord Shivarsquo It is celebrated on the 14th dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Phalguna or Magha February or March This year it will fallon the 18th of February on Saturday todayAlso ReadMahashivratri 2023 Mahashivratri holds a huge importance in my life says Sudhanshu PandeyOn this day Lord Shiva is believed to have done the divine dance called lsquoTandavarsquo and married Goddess Parvati Spiritual seekers and devotees celebrate the festival with joy energy and devotion They worship Lord Shiva fast pray and partake in special rituals to seek his blessings and attain spiritual enlightenmentMahashivratri is also a time for social gatherings cultural programs and colourful processions The festival holds great significance for yogis and spiritual seekers who practice meditation and seek to attain higher levels of consciousness The festival serves as a reminder of how important it is to get rid of darkness and ignorance and to renew and refresh your spiritual energyLord Shiva is worshipped in many different ways including through the performance of puja worship rituals the recitation of mantras and the practice of yoga and meditation He is also the focus of many festivals and celebrations including Mahashivratri a night of fasting and prayer dedicated to Lord ShivaAlso Read Mahashivratri 2023 Top 6 actors who played the role of Lord Shiva onscreenHow to honour Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri and celebrate the festivalFollow these practices this 18th of February to seek His blessings and boost your spiritual growthObserve fast throughout the day and offer prayers to Lord ShivaBreak the fast in the morning following Mahashivratri Fasting this way makes your body more receptive to the positive energies abounding on this night The body is detoxified when fasting and mental agitation is reducedJagranStay up throughout the night meditate sing and dance in joyVisit the Shiva temple and participate in the nightlong celebrationsPerform lsquoLinga Abhishekamrsquo and lsquoRudrabhishekamrsquo or special Poojas to Lord ShivaRecite prayers and mantras and sing devotional songs dedicated to Lord ShivaOne such powerful mantra is lsquoOm Namaha Shivaiyarsquo which can energise your mind tremendously It can align and connect you with the five elements which make up the universe Singing the glorious songs lsquoShiv Tandav Stotramrsquo and lsquoKaal Bhairav Ashtakamrsquo can please Lord Shiva into bestowing you with his unlimited powerWear traditional clothes apply mehndi or henna on your hands and offer sweets and fruits to Lord ShivaRead the stories of Lord Shivaand seek his blessings for happiness and prosperityLord Shiva along with Brahma and Vishnu is one of the 3 main Gods He is also called Mahadev which means Great God and millions of spiritual seekers worldwide worship him He is shown to have three eyes a blue throat and a snake around his neck He also holds a trident Trishul as a weaponLord Shiva is also often associated with asceticism and meditation He is said to have spent much time in deep meditation and to have the power to bestow spiritual enlightenment and inner peace He is associated with the power of destruction a vital part of the cycle of creation and rebirthLord Shiva is often shown with his wife Parvati and their two sons Ganesha and Kartikeya He is also linked to several other gods such as the bull Nandi His vehicle and Ganga the river that flows from his hairWith inputs from Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar Founder Akshar Yoga Institutions Himalaya Yoga Ashrama World Yoga Organisation