The day before the Amavasya (new moon) of each lunar month is called Shivaratri. Among all the Shivaratris of the year, the one that falls in the lunar month of Magha in February-March each year is considered to be most auspicious, and is celebrated as Maha shivaratri 2020.

Maha shivaratri is celebrate in India as well Nepal with full enthusiasm which literally translates to “great night of Shiva.“

Maha Shivaratri 2020 | Shivaratri Celebration | Shivaratri Date 2020 | Hindu Festivals

There are many interesting legends related to the festival of Maha Shivarathri. According to one of the most famous legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava.

Another popular Shivratri legend stated in Linga Purana states that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees and they celebrate it as Maha shivaratri.

Significance of Maha Shivaratri 2020

The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael leaves to Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-vigil (jagaran). All through the day, devotees chant “Om Namah Shivaya“, the sacred mantra of Shiva.

Shiva temples are flocked by devotees, young and old, who come to perform the traditional Shivalinga worship (puja) in early morning. Devotees bathe at sunrise, preferably in the Ganga, or any other holy water source (like the Shiv Sagar tank at Khajurao). This is a rite of purification, which is an important part of all Hindu festivals.

Wearing clean clothing after the holy bath, worshipers carry pots of water to the temple to bathe the Shivalinga. Women and men both offer prayers to the sun, Vishnu and Shiva. The temple reverberates with the sound of bells. Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death.

Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for married and unmarried women who observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati. People also regarded as ‘Gauri’ to Maa Parvati. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband.

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