Maha Shivratri

Mahashivaratri is celebrated with gusto by the Hindus all over India. It is an important day for the followers of Lord Shiva, as it honors their favorite deity. The celebrations are marked by fasting and the observance of a number of rituals. The festival is significant in many aspects. For instance, it bears mythological importance, because Lord Shiva is considered one of the deities of Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. On Maha Shivaratri, the devotees of Lord Shiva observe a stringent fast, which is broken only during the next morning, after prasad is offered to the deity. Know more about the celebrations of Mahashivratri, in the article

Maha Shivratri Festival Celebrations

In the Morning
The devotees of Lord Shiva wake up early in the morning to take a ceremonious bath, after which, they would wear new clothes, smear bhasm (holy ashes) on their forehead and head towards the nearest Lord Shiva temple to take part in the celebrations. On the other hand, if they are at home, they would conduct a puja in the morning, by offering Bilwa leaves, flowers and garlands to the deity and thereafter, observe a fast for the entire day. A certain diet is formulated especially for the day, which consists of fruits and beverages (including tea, milk and coffee) as the food for the day.

Celebrations At Temple
Lord Shiva temples are decorated beautifully with festoons, on the wonderful occasion of Mahashivaratri. Apart from the usual pujas of the temple, special pujas are conducted to make the day different from the ordinary. On the festival, as many as six types of Abhisheks can be witnessed, each using milk, ghee, sugar, honey, water and sandalwood paste. The priest would chant mantras and conduct the pooja, while the devotees would queue up to have a glimpse of the rituals performed at the altar and offer prayers to the deity. The devotees would often offer incense sticks, dhoop, Bilwa leaves and garlands to the temple, which are offered to the Shiva Linga.

Celebrations In the Night
The merrymaking reaches its peak in the night of Mahashivratri, when devotees of Lord Shiva would sing songs, bhajans, chant mantras and offer prayers to the Almighty. The devotees would continue to observe their fast. In fact, they would remain at the temple premises all through the night, to take part in the keertans or jaagrans that are arranged by the temple authorities, for the festival. The devotees are served tea occasionally, to keep them awake during the night. Either the devotees themselves would sing the bhajans or professional singers are called upon on the festival, to serve the purpose. The celebrations of Maha Shivaratri would culminate only in the dawn of the next day, when the devotees would break their fast by eating the prasad that was offered to the deity in the previous night.

Shiva Chalisa

Mahashivaratri is a special day for the devotees of Lord Shiva. On the festival, people would observe a fast for the entire day and sing bhajans and songs in the praise of the deity. Lord Shiva temples are flocked by devotees, as special puja is conducted all through the day. Different types of Abhishek are performed, with the use of honey, ghee, milk, rose water, sandalwood paste and yogurt. During the time, many devotees would sing the traditional, Shiva Chalisa - a prayer for Lord Shiva. The lyrics of the chalisa have been written many years ago, with the aim to invoke the Lord and ask for his help in removing the hardships of his devotees. In the following lines, we have given the lyrics of Shiva Chalisa.

Lord Shiv Chalisa

Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan
Mangal Mul Sujan
Kahat Ayodhya Das Tum Dev Abhaya Varadan

Jai Girija Pati Dinadayala
Sada Karat Santan Pratipala
Bhala Chandrama Sohat Nike Kanan Kundal Nagaphani Ke

Anga Gaur Shira Ganga Bahaye
Mundamala Tan Chhara Lagaye
Vastra Khala Baghambar Sohain Chhavi Ko Dekha Naga Muni Mohain

Maina Matu Ki Havai Dulari
Vama Anga Sohat Chhavi Nyari
Kara Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari Karat Sada Shatrun Chhayakari

Nandi Ganesh Sohain Tahan Kaise
Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise
Kartik Shyam Aur Ganara-U Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jata Na Ka-U

Devan Jabahi Jaya Pukara
Tabahi Dukha Prabhu Apa Nivara
Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari Devan Sab Mili Tumahi Juhari

Turata Shadanana Apa Pathayau
Lava-Ni-Mesh Mahan Mari Girayau
Apa Jalandhara Asura Sanhara Suyash Tumhara Vidit Sansara

Danin Mahan Tum Sama Kou Nahin
Sevak Astuti Karat Sadahin
Veda Nam Mahima Tab Ga-I Akatha Anandi Bhed Nahin Pa-I

Pragate Udadhi Mantan Men Jvala
Jarat Sura-Sur Bhaye Vihala
Kinha Daya Tahan Kari Sara-I Nilakantha Tab Nam Kaha-I

Pujan Ramchandra Jab Kinha
Jiti Ke Lanka Vibhishan Dinhi
Sahas Kamal Men Ho Rahe Dhari Kinha Pariksha Tabahin Purari

Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joi
Kushal-Nain Pujan Chaha Soi
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar Bhaye Prasanna Diye-Ichchhit Var

Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi
Karat Kripa Sabake Ghat Vasi
Dushta Sakal Nit Mohin Satavai
Bhramat Rahe Mohin Chain Na Avai

Trahi-Trahi Main Nath Pukaro
Yahi Avasar Mohi Ana Ubaro
Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro
Sankat Se Mohin Ana Ubaro

Mata Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi
Sankat Men Puchhat Nahin Koi
Svami Ek Hai Asha Tumhari
Ava Harahu Aba Sankat Bhari

Dhan Nirdhan Ko Deta Sadahin
Jo Koi Janche So Phal Pahin
Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karai Tumhari
Kshamahu Nath Aba Chuka Hamari

Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nishan
Vighna Vinashan Mangal Karan
Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavan
Sharad Narad Shisha Navavain

Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaya
Sura Brahmadik Par Na Paya
Jo Yah Patha Karai Man Lai
Tapar Hota Hai Shambhu Saha-I

Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari
Patha Karai So Pavan Hari
Putra-hin Ichchha Kar Koi
Nischaya Shiva Prasad Tehin Hoi

Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lavai
Dhyan-Purvak Homa Karavai
Trayodashi Vrat Kare Hamesha
Tan Nahin Take Rahe Kalesha

Dhupa Dipa Naivedya Charhavai
Anta Vasa Shivapur Men Pavai
Kahai Ayodhya Asha Tumhari
Jani Sakal Dukha Harahu Hamari

Nitya Nema kari Pratahi
Patha karau Chalis
Tum Meri Man Kamana
Purna Karahu Jagadish

Shiva Aarti

Reciting Lord Shiva Aarti on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri is believed to invoke divine blessings of Lord Shiva. This aarti is sung in the praise of the Lord and is recited by Shiv bhakts (devotees) around the world. If daily recited at the time of puja, the aarti is said to provide you the special blessings of the Lord and help you liberate yourself from all the sins. It is also believed that this aarti makes the Lord happy and in return, He fills your live with happiness and prosperity. For better understanding of this aarti, we are providing English translation, along with the Hindi verses Aarti.

Lord Shiva Aarti 

Jai Shiv Onkara Har Shiv Onkara,
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Arddhagni Dhara.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - Glory to you, O Shiva! Glory to you, O Omkaara! May Brahma, Vishnu and the assembly of other gods, including the great Lord Shiva, relieve me of my afflictions!

Ekanan Chaturanan Panchanan Rajai,
Hansanan Garudasan Vrishvahan Sajai.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - Being the Absolute, True being, Consciousness and Bliss, you play the roles of all the three Gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. As Vishnu, you have but one face, as Brahma four and as Shiva five. They gladden the sight of all who behold them. As Brahma you prefer the back of the swan for your seat, as Vishnu you like to ensconce yourself on the back of Garuda (A large mythological eagle - like bird believed to be the vehicle of Lord Vishnu) and as Shiva you make the sacred bull your conveyance; all these stand ready. O Great Lord, pray rid me of my afflictions!

Do Bhuj Char Chaturbhuj Das Bhuj Te Sohai,
Tinon Roop Nirakhta Tribhuvan Jan Mohai.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - As Brahma, you possess two arms, as Vishnu four and as Shiva (Dashabaahu) ten, all of which look matchlessly lovely. No sooner do the inhabitants of the three spheres behold you than they are all enchanted. O great Lord Omkaara, pray rid me of my afflictions.

Akshaymala Vanmala Mundmala Dhari,
Chadan Mrigmad Sohai Bhale Shashi Dhari.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - You are, O great Lord Omkaara, wearing a garland of Rudraaksha, another of forest flowers the third of skulls; your forehead, glistening in the moonlight which it holds, is smeared with sandal-paste and musk. Pray rid me of my afflictions.

Shvetambar Pitambar Baghambar Ange,
Sankadik Brahmadik Bhootadik Sange.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - O great Lord Omkaara, your body is attired in white and yellow silken clothes and in tiger skin, while in your company are troops of goblins, gods like Brahma and divine seers like Sanaka. Pray rid me of my afflictions.

Kar Men Shreshth Kamandalu Chakra Trishooldharta,
Jagkarta Jagharta Jag Palankarta.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - O great Lord Omkaara, you hold akamandalu (the mendicants water-jar) in one of your hands and in another a trident; you bring joy to all, destroy all distress and sustain the whole world. May you rid me of all my afflictions!

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Janat Aviveka,
Pranvakshar Ke Madhye Yah Tinon Eka.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - The ignorant (unwise and stupid) know Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as three individual gods, but they are all indistinguishably fused into a single mystic syllable ‘OM’. Pray rid me of my afflictions.

Trigun Shiv Ki Aarti Jo Koi Nar Gave,
Kahat Shivanand Swami Manvanchhit Phal Pave.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - Says Swami Shivananda, “He who recites this Aarti to the Lord of the three gunas-sattva, rajas and tamas - attains fulfillment of his heart’s desire”. O great Lord Omkaara, may you rid me of my afflictions.

Maha Shivaratri Fast

Maha Shivaratri is the wonderful opportunity for the followers of Lord Shiva, to praise the God and seek his blessings. In fact, for the devotees of Lord Shiva, nothing is more important that fasting on Mahashivaratri, when it comes to showing their honor and love to the deity. On the festival, people observe a stringent fast, when they would not consume anything other than the diet formulated especially for the occasion. It is said that if a devotee observes fast on Mahashivratri, with sincerity, pure devotion and love, he/she would be blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Check out more interesting information about Maha Shivaratri vrat (fast) in the article.

Maha Shivratri Vrat

Significance
Hindu mythology suggests that the observance of vrat on Mahashivratri helps one to attain control over the two great forces that afflict man - rajas guna (the quality of passionate activity) and tamas guna (the quality of ignorance). When the devotee observes a fast with discipline and spends the entire day at the feet of Lord Shiva, his/her mind is controlled. Moreover, evils like lust, anger and greed are subdued, thereby acquiring control over rajas guna. When he/she wakes vigil throughout the night of Maha Shivaratri, he/she develops the ability to conquer the evils of tamas guna too. Therefore, Mahashivratri vrat is significant.

Fasting Rules
Traditionally, people who observe fast on Mahashivaratri would take bath early in the morning, with warm water and black sesame seeds. However, nowadays, people prefer to take a hot water shower, in the morning. By bathing, it is believed that the bodily impurities are washed away. After wearing new laundered clothes, the devotees would visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple to worship the deity. The ritual of bathing Shiva Linga with milk and honey takes place in temples of the diety, on the festival. While in the temple, the devotees would sing devotional songs and bhajans, to invoke Lord Shiva. All through the day and night during the festival, they would indulge in chanting of three words 'Om Namah Shivaya'.

Food For Mahashivratri Vrat
A diet is followed by the devotees of Lord Shiva, on Maha Shivaratri. On the day, they would abstain from food made with rice, pulses or wheat. However, the devotees may eat fruits and drink tea, milk or coffee during the fast, if they have not observed nirahar vrat (fast without the consumption of any form of foodstuff). In the evening, after performing puja, they would break the fast by eating rotis made of singhare ka atta (kuttu ka atta) and sabut dana kheer (dessert made of sago). Sendha namak (rock salt) is used to cook food for the fast. To offer the deity, people would prepare dishes such as potato pumpkin pancakes, lauki ka halwa (sweet dish made of bottle guard), thandai etc.

Sabodana Khichdi 

Ingredients:

2cups sabudana 

1 potato

3-4 green chilies 

1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

1/2 cup peanut powder

salt-sendha namak to taste

1 tbspoon oil

2 teaspoon cumin seeds

coriander leaves for garnishing

Preparation:

Soak sabudana in water. The level of water should be equal to sabudana in container. Keep it aside for 5-6 hours (Depending on the quality, sometimes the sabudana needs to be soaked overnight in a little bit of water).

Now add peanut powder, salt and mix.

Cut green chilies into small pieces. 

Heat oil or ghee in a pan. 

Add cumin seeds, potato pieces and chilies. 

As soon as potatoes are tender, add sabudana and stir.

now add lemon juice.Cook uncovered for sometime and keep mixing so that sabudana will not stick to the bottom. 

Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot.

Vrat Ke Chawal / Parsai Ke Chawal 


Ingredients: 
1 cup Parsai ke chaawal,cleaned and washed
1 large Potato, cut into small cubes
2 green chillies
3 cups Water
2 tbsp Ghee / oil
2 Choti elaichi
1 tsp jeera
2 tsp Sendha namak (rock salt) or to taste
finely chopped green coriander for garnishing

Preparation:

* Heat ghee / oil, add jeera and elaichi. when it starts to crackle, add potato and rice.
* Stir-fry till they look a bit fried.Add chopped green chillies.
* Add salt, and water, bring to a boil. Lower the flame and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes or till fully cooked.
* Serve hot garnished with coriander

Kuttu Parantha (Buckwheat Parantha)

Ingredients:

* 2 cups Kuttu ka atta
* 1 large potato, boiled and mashed
* 1 tbsp. oil
* 1 tsp Sendha namak (rock salt) or to taste
* water to knead dough
* Ghee (clarified butter) for frying the paranthas
* Dry flour for dusting

Preparation:
* Mix atta, potatoes and salt together, add water and knead into a pliable dough. Cover and leave to rest, for at least 30 minutes.
* Break dough into 8 pieces and shape each into round, smooth balls, dusting with atta, if it sticks.
* Roll into rounds of 1/4 cm/ 1/8" thick. You will have to roll by patting with hand. If you want to roll with a rolling pin, increase the proportion of potatoes.
* Heat the tava. Place parantha on the tawa, lower flame to medium and when edges start lifting slightly, make a spread ghee along the corner of the parantha.
* When the underside is crisp and darker, smear ghee on the uncooked surface, increase flame and turn the parantha upside-down.
* Cook on the other side too. It is ready to be served when dark and crisp on both sides

Sabudana cutlets

Ingredients:

Sabudana                        2 cups
Potato                                      2
Roasted peanuts          3/4 cup
Green chilly                          8-9
Sugar                                1/2 tsp
Coriander leaves         2 tsp
Oil
Salt

How to make Sabudana Cutlet:

Boil potato and remove the skin.
Clean,wash and soak sabudana for 2 hours.
Crush peanuts.
Chop green chilly and coriander leaves.
Mix all ingredients except oil.
Mix finely and give cutlet shape.
Deep fry in hot oil till crispy.
Sabudana cutlet is ready.

Serve hot with green chutney.