Maha Shiv Ratri 2013 Holds Special Significance

Maha Shiva Ratri 2013 will be celebrated on 10th March this year and holds great significance as the time period, beginning with a day prior to the Shiva Ratri and a day after it, encompass three distinguished festivals.

This means that along with Shiva Ratri, the day prior to it ( 9th March) is also very auspicious to perform Shiva Puja. That date is Shani Pradosh. This year Maha Shivaratri will be celebrated on 10th March and a day preceding that will be observed as Shani Pradosh.

This day is considered very special by the sages as it is the day of Lord Shiva�s dear constellation Sharavana.

As per the Hindu religious Scriptures, by observing fast on the day of Shani Pradosh we can fulfill all our desires. This Pradosh fast is observed on Triyodashi (13th day) of both the fortnights of a month.

Fast observed on this day is called Pradosh fast and Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped while observing the fast. Fasting on this day brings success, peace and fulfills all the desires. It is believed that seeing any form of Lord Shiva can end the ignorance of a person and bless him prosperity.

Shiva Ratri: Fruitful For Women

With different days this fast tells different Yogas too. When Trayodashi comes on Saturday then it is observed as Shani Pradosh day. It is given in the Holy Scriptures that a childless couple should definitely observe this fast as it helps fulfilling their desire of having a child.

To fulfill their desire a couple, after taking bath, should worship Shiva-Parvati or Lord Ganesha and pour water on the Shiva Linga. This means that Shiv Puja is indispensable for this fast. On 10th March that is the next day of Shani Pradosh is Maha Shiv Ratri. Due to Dhanishta constellation and Siddhi Yoga on Sunday this day is considered very auspicious for increasing prosperity.

The Siddhi Yog is specially very fruitful for all the women. Maha Shiva Ratri is a major festival to worship Lord Shiva. Though Shiva Ratri comes every month but the one which comes on Krishna Chaturthi of the Phagun month is called Maha Shiva Ratri. It is believed that on this very day Lord Shiva came in the form of Jyotirlinga. As per another belief, on this day of Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of the Phagun month,Lord Shiva got married to his beloved Parvati.

On this day devotees visit Shiva temples and offer Bel Patra and milk on the Shiva Linga. They also perform Jagrans (staying awake all night) and fast on this day. As per the Shiva Purana�s Kotirudrashita, by observing this fast a person is be blessed with both materialistic pleasures and salvation. Therefore, it can be said that this festival is a very special to worship Lord Shiva.

The day following the Shiv Ratri is the Somvati Amavasya which will come on Monday (11th March) of the Satabhisha Constellation and Sadhya Yoga.

Though Amavasya comes every month and Monday comes every week but it is a rare occurance that this Amavasya is coming on a Monday. As the name suggests the Amavasya that comes on Monday is called the Somvati Amavasya. Monday is considered as the Lord Shiva�s day and Somvati Amavasya is completely dedicated to Lord Shiva. This day is observed by taking a Holy Dip in sacred river early in the morning and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Maha Shiva Ratri: Once In 10 Years

It is believed that Tulsi Pujan should also be done on this day. Therefore, the crux is that this Shiv Ratri is a great amalgamation of three pious festivals of this time. These three days are considered very special for worshipping the Lord Shiva.

As per the Shiva Purana�s Kortirudrasahita, Lord Shiva is the Deva of these three festivals of Pradosh, Maha Shiva Ratri and Somvati Amavasya. As per great scholars, such occasion has come after 10 years.

As per the constellation count, the last time such juncture came in the year 2003 and it will be coming in 2023 the next time. Thus, the Shiva Pujan done during this festival offer peace and prosperity to all. So, it is suggested to all Shiva devotees to offer milk, curd, honey and Bel Patra to the Shiva Linga as this will end all our miseries and sorrows.

It is also believed that one should visit Holy Shrines and take Holy Dips on this day as it helps us to get the blessings of Lord Shiva and our Ancestors. Therefore, we all should worship Lord Shiva in our own way and as per our own capabilities to receive Holy blessings. We wish all of you a Very Happy Shiv Ratri 2013.