MahaShivratri 2023 Special: What is the Difference Between Shivratri and MahaShivratri?
What is the Difference Between Shivratri and MahaShivratri – Shivratri or the night of Shiva falls on the 14th day of the lunar month or a day before the new moon. According to the Hindu calendar, it is the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of a month. There are 12 shivratris in a year. MahaShivratri 2023 is going to be observed on 18th February 2023.
What is the Difference Between Shivratri and MahaShivratri ?
MahaShivratri, the greatest Shivratri falls on the 14th day of Krishna Paksha of the Phalgun month. It is the most celebrated Shivratri of the year.
There are several legends related to MahaShivratri. According to some of the legends:
- Lord Shiva appeared in the Linga form on MahaShivratri.
- Lord Shiva married Parvati on MahaShivratri.
- Lord Shiva drank the poison during the Samudra Manthan.
- Lord Shiva did the Tandav dance on MahaShivratri
Hence, the significance of MahaShivratri is immense. Although, devotees celebrate all monthly or masik Shivratris, MahaShivratri is the grandest one in the year.
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What is the Difference Between Shivratri and MahaShivratri
On the days of Shivratri or MahaShivratri, devotees perform the following:
- Observe fast for the whole day.
- Offer milk and fruits to Shiva Linga in temples.
- Chant Shiva mantras and pray to Lord Shiva.
MahaShivratri is believed to be the day when devotees can get rid of the cycle of life and death. It is a day when they can ask for forgiveness for their sins. Many girls observe fast to find a suitable husband while married women observe for a blissed marital life. Some people fast on all the Shivratris throughout the year to get their wishes fulfilled.
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What is the Difference Between Shivratri and MahaShivratri
The following can be chanted or read on Shivratris and MahaShivratri:
- Mantra – ‘Om Namah Shivaya’
- Mahamritunjay Mantra
- Shiv Chalisa
- Rudrashtakam
- Shiv Tandav Strotra
- Shiva Panchakshar Strotra
- Lingashtakam
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What is the Difference Between Shivratri and MahaShivratri
The following temples in India celebrate MahaShivratri grandly:
- Mahakaal Temple in Ujjain: The celebration begins 9 days prior to MahaShivratri and is known as Shiv Navratri.
- Bhootnath Temple in Mandi: The celebrations go on for a week with the popular MahaShivratri fair.
- Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi: The performers enact the union of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Also, devotees can drink bhaang and dance in tranquillity on the day.
- Ganga Aarti at Haridwar: Haridwar is among the most visited places on MahaShivratri and a grand Ganga aarti is performed on Mahashivratri.
- Herath Festival in Kashmir: Kashmiri pandits celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati with the Herath Festival in Kashmir. The word Herath is derived from the word – Har Ratri.
People get together to sing praises of Lord Shiva and distribute fruits and sweets to celebrate the festival.
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