Happy Mahashivratri 2021

One of the greatest and most pious Hindu festival of Mahashivratri is being celebrated today on March 11. Maha Shivaratri, literally translates as “the Great night of Shiva’ and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction, one who is the third in the Hindu triumvirate, after Lord Brahma – the God of Creation, and Lord Vishnu – the God of Preservation. The Chaturdashi tithi begins at 2.39 pm on March 11 and  ends 3.02 pm on March 12.

People all over the country celebrate the festival according to their own customs and traditions. The festival marks a remembrance of overcoming darkness and ignorance in life and the world towards happiness and prosperity.

On the day, devotees of Lord Shiva conduct overnight prayers, worship the “shivling” and chant the name of Lord Shiva. The devotees observe a full day fast on Maha Shivaratri, eating only on the next day after bathing. Milk, curd, bael leaves, and honey are also offered to the “shivling” in the temples.

The fast is observed to attain the blessings of the Lord and get rid of the past sins in life. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on Maha Shivaratri fulfils the wishes of the devotees. The festival is also celebrated by greeting the loved ones like friends and the family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wished people on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. “Greetings on the special occasion of Mahashivratri. Har Har Mahadev!”: PM Modi tweeted.