One of the most religious Hindu festivals, Maha Shivaratri falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna (February- March), and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivratri is the night when He is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of pri-mordial creation, preservation and destruction. The festival is observed for one day and one night only. Maha Shivratri is universally observed by all pious Hindus with fasting, singing of bhajans, recital of Sanskrit shlokas, offering of prayers, flowers, fruits and food that is specially prepared in honor of the deity and his divine consort, goddess Parvati. The Puranas contain many stories and legends describing the origin of this festival. According to one, during the samudra manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. This terrified the Gods and demons as the poison was capable of destroying the entire world, and they ran to Shiva for help. To protect the world from its evil effects, Shiva drank the deathly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This made his throat turn blue, and he was given the name Neelakanta, the blue-throated one. Shivaratri is the celebration of this event by which Shiva saved the world. According to another legend in the Shiva Purana, on the 14th day in the dark half of the month of Phalguna, Shiva first manifested himself in the form of a Linga, and this day is especially auspicious and is celebrated as Mahashivaratri. Worshipping Shiva on this day is believed to bestow one with happiness and prosperity.

Mahashivaratri is thus not only a ritual but also a cosmic definition of the Hindu universe. It dis-pels ignorance, emanates the light of knowledge, makes one aware of the universe, ushers in the spring after the cold and dry winter, and invokes the supreme power to take cognizance of the beings that were created by Him.

Special Prayers

ITA has a program whereby you can have prayers performed on your behalf every year on a special day in your life by pledging $301. Also, at your request, Shri. Bhupendra Shuklaji will perform a special puja on your behalf, or the regular temple puja performed on the designated day will be dedicated in your name.