Maha shivratri 2016 festival celebrates India today

Maha Shivaratri – Maha Shivratri festival comes every year in the Hindi month of Falgun. It is the most popular festival in India. Particularly, women worship Lord Shiva or Baba Bhole nath on the occasion of this festival with happily. It is celebrated by women in temple all around the country. Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology stands for the source of immense power and is worshipped all across the country with fervent devotion. There is a story behind Maha Shivratri/ According to Hindu belief, Lord Shiva got married a second time to Maa Parvati in Phalgun month of the Hindu calendar. The marriage of Shiva and Parvati represents the union of passive and dynamic energy and this powerful moment is celebrated as Maha Shivratri. Lord Shiva is believed to reveal his ' lingam ' form, which is universally worshipped across the country, on this very night. Variously addressed by devotees as ' Mahadev ' and ' Bholenath ' revealing his different aspects, Lord Shiva is believed to release devotees from the karmic cycle if they please him by perform fasting, rituals and puja on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri. It is also believed that Lord Shiva bestows a life of wealth and prosperity on the sincere devotee. Mahashivratri in India evokes strong associations of a woman ' s penance to earn her husband, epitomized by Maa Parvati ' s strict penance for Lord Shiva. The foremost of popular legends around Shivratri include how Lord Shiva held the poison Halahal in his throat without gulping it down, thus saving the world on this day. Maha Shivratri also coincides with the day when Lord Shiva performed the ' Tandav ' dance - a dance that revealed the dynamic cycle of creation and destruction in the cosmic realm. Devotees observe strict fast while some stay on fruit diet to mark the occasion of Mahashivratri. After an early dip in a holy water body, devotees proceed with the ritualistic puja of Shivratri, which involves the simple practice of bathing the ' lingam ' with milk, water, yoghurt, bael leaves, fruits, dhatura, betel leaves and incense. The Nandi, Lord Shiva ' s devotee and mount is also bathed with milk, water and flowers. Partaking of the ' prasad ' is considered most auspicious as it is imbued with the blessings of Lord Shiva. Mahashivratri Celebrations On the day of Maha Shivratri, constant recital of ' Shiv Chalisa ' and ' Mahamrityunjaya Mantra ' using a Rudraksha Japa Mala is also believed to cleanse the soul. Special celebration is also organized at ashrams and spiritual centres dedicated to Shiva worship. On the day of Mahashivratri, dedicated cultural programmes are organized. Mahashivratri celebration keeps up the energetic tone throughout the night. Traditionally, priests perform Maha Shivaratri Puja and ' abhishek ' of the ' lingam ' ritualistically through the night. Since Maha Shivratri is one of the most pious days in the Hindu calendar, the twelve major seat of Shiva worship called ' Jyotirlingas ' witnesses unmatched fervor and utmost participation. The entire night during Shivratri celebration reverberates with exalted spiritual energy.