Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri is a religious Hindu festival, celebrated all over the country with great zeal. As the name suggests, it is regarded as the night (ratri) which is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu calendar, the festival of Maha Shivratri falls on the thirteenth day of phalgun (between the months of February and March). Mahashivratri 2017 falls on 24th February.
Significance of the festival
There are many famous stories associated with the festival of Maha Shivratri, two of which are mentioned below:
- It is said that during Samudra Manthan by gods and demons, a vessel of poison came out of the ocean. Gods were scared that it will diminish life on the Earth if not consumed by anybody. So, they rushed to God Vishnu who then advised them to approach Lord Shiva and plead Him to protect life of human beings, by drinking the toxic poison. Gods prayed Lord Shiva, pleased with their prayers and out of compassion for human beings, Lord Shiva drank the poison and held it in His neck the entire night and kept Himself awake. Entire night, the gods prayed Lord Shiva, performed various dances and music to keep Lord Shiva awake so that poison could not harm Him. Lord Shiva was happy with their devotion, contemplation and vigilance and hence blessed all of them with the fulfillment of their wishes. Since then, on this day and night-devotees observe fast, chant prayers to God, dance with religious fervour and sing glories of Lord Shiva.
- Another story is about the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. When king Daksha, father of Goddess Sati insulted Lord Shiva during the yagna held at his place, she jumped into the sacrificial fire of yagna in anger and ended her life. Lord Shiva was very furious due to the death of His wife and He started performing Tandava, the destructive dance. His anger destructed the kingdom of king Daksha and Lord Shiva retired to the Himalayas in penance, repenting why He allowed Sati to come to her father’s house. Gods were scared that this may bring the world to an end. So, to take out Lord Shiva from aloofness and remorse, they revived sati in the guise of Parvati (reincarnation of Sati). Shiva-Parvati married after a lot of hard work of all Gods and this reunion is celebrated as Maha Shivratri.
Celebration of the festival
Festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated by worshipping Lord Shiva to seek His blessings. The temples are decorated with flowers and lights. Devotees go to temples in the early morning, to pray to Lord and the crowd can be seen throughout the day. People offer flowers, bel-patra, fruits, milk etc. to Lord Shiva and observe fast the entire day. Group of devotees spend the entire day in singing glories of God, in their homes and temples. The festival of Maha Shivratri is famous not only among people of India but also among people of Nepal & Sri Lanka and celebrated with enthusiasm.
How to celebrate Maha Shivratri with your children?
Parents should make their children aware of all the festivals and tell them about the significance behind their celebrations. Here are some tips on how to celebrate Maha Shivratri with your children:
- Tell your children about the importance of Maha Shivratri, its association with the Lord Shiva and narrate few legends of Shiva-Parvati.
- Ask them if they too want to keep a fast on this day and tell them that they can have only fruits and milk during the fast.
- Tell them to take bath early in the morning, wear new or clean clothes.
- Involve them with you in decorating the basket of puja.
- Visit to temple with them, ask them to do the Rudrabhishek of Lord Shiva with milk and offer other traditional things to God.
- Teach them the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” and ask them to chant it while offering flowers and other things to Lord Shiva.
- Tell them about the importance of meditation and ask them to speak less to store energy if they are observing a fast.
- Spend the day by explaining your children about the qualities of Lord Shiva, His selfless love for devotees, His truthfulness and sacrificial intentions.
- Bring DVDs on mythology and show them the mythological stories about the life of Lord Shiva on television or your computer.
- Ask them to express thanks to God and feel blessed & gratified by sitting quietly in meditation.
- Also, encourage them to offer help at temples and ashrams on this grand and religious day of Maha Shivratri.
These are the infinite ways to inculcate religious zeal and devoutness in children. By adopting such things you can help your children to grow with piousness and feeling of gratitude for those who make sacrifices for others.
