Publish Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2020 05:27 PM IST

Shiva is the Hindu lord of trinity that includes Brahma and Vishnu.

New Delhi | Jagran Lifestyle Desk: Mahashivratri is an important festival in India, celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm, in honour of Lord Shiva. The word Mahashivratri stands for ''The Great Night of Lord Shiva". The festival is celebrated predominantly in North Indian states like UP, Bihar and Jharkhand during the month of Phalguna. On this day, the ardent devotees of Mahadev, observe fast, performs puja and practice meditation, which leads to wealth, success and awakening.

Also Read: Happy Maha Shivaratri 2020 | Wishes, messages, quotes, SMS, Facebook and WhatsApp status to share with family and friends

Things to DO on Maha Shivratri

Fasting

Fasting detoxifies the body and aid meditation. It helps your body feel lighter and relaxes your mind. Fasting also raises the power of your prayers. Moreover, it also helps you get rid of negative emotions like anger, lust, greed, and anxiety. It is advised to fast with fruits or foods (Kheer or Halwa) that are easily digestible.

Meditation

The position of stars on the night of Mahashivaratri is considered auspicious for meditation. Thus, it is advisable for people to wake up early and meditate on Shivaratri. It ancient times, people said," If you cannot meditate on a daily basis, do it for at least one day every year-- on Mahashivaratri.

Chant Mantras

Chant the powerful 'Om Namah Shivaay' mantra, it will immediately lift up with energy and mood. 'Om' refers to 'sound of the universe', it means love and peace. The remaining words of the letters-- Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya-- indicate five elements earth, water, fire, air, and ether.

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Worship Shivling

Shivling symbolises Lord Shiva. Offering Bel Patra is a part of worshipping the 'Shivling'. It represents three aspects of your being 'sattva', 'tamas' and 'rajas' that affect your body, mind, and actions. Surrendering to the three brings peace and freedom.

Attending Puja

Mahashivaratri Puja is a special ceremony performed to honour Lord Shiva. It brings positivity and purity to the environment and transforms negative emotions into positive ones. Participation in the puja helps the mind slip into meditation effortlessly.

Why do we celebrate Maha Shivratri:

The devas and asuras were always at war with each other. However, in a rare show of solidarity, they churned the ocean of milk together for Amrit-- nectar of immortality-- on the advice of Lord Vishnu. As they used Vasuki-- serpent on Lord Shiva's neck-- as a rope, the first thing which came out it was the venom. Devas prayed Lord Shiva to help, who drank all the poison and saved them.

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His wife, Goddess Parvati worried that venom would enter Shiva's body and cause him pain. She held his throat to prevent the venom from spreading his body for one day and one night, which is why Mahadev turned Blue (earning the name Neelkanth). Since the goddess fasted the entire day and night at that time, It became an age-old tradition to fast and keep awake all night during Mahashivratri.

Posted By: James Kuanal

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Maha Shivratri 2020: Why do we celebrate the festival? Things to do on 'The Great Night of Lord Shiva' - Jagran English