Mahashivratri falls on Magha Krishna Chaturdashi in South India and Maharashtra according to the Saka Samvat calendar and Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi in North India according to the Vikram Samvat calendar.
One year of earth is one day of heaven. Earth is gross. The speed of the gross is less i.e. the gross takes more time to travel in the universe. The deities are subtle and their speed is also high. Hence they take less time to travel in the universe. This is the reason, there is a difference of one year in the calculation of the time of the earth and the gods.
Shiva takes rest for one hour at night. This period of his rest is called ‘Mahashivratri’. Mahashivratri falls on Magha Krishna Chaturdashi in South India and Maharashtra according to the Saka Samvat calendar and Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi in North India according to the Vikram Samvat calendar. This year Shivratri will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 1.
Significance of Mahashivratri from the classical point of view
The time that Shiva rests on Mahashivratri is called ‘Pradosh’ or ‘Nishith Kaal’. At this time Shiva goes from the state of meditation to the state of samadhi. On Earth, this period is usually one to one and a half hours. During this period, by any means, even if there is no knowledge, even if worship is done knowingly or unknowingly, or even if there is any defect or error in worship, even then there is 100% benefit of worship.
On this day Shivatattva is active a thousand times more than on other days. Shivatattva is absorbed in large quantity by worshiping Shiva on this day. During this period, Bel leaves, white flowers, etc., which attract more and more Shiva elements, are offered on Shivpindi.
Through them the Shiva element present in the environment is attracted. Due to Shiva Tattva, we are protected from negative energies. On the day of Mahashivratri, due to the activation of Shivatattva in more quantity, different types of experiences are experienced by those who do spiritual practice.
Importance and scripture of Shiva’s consecration
Shiva devotees also perform Abhishek on Shivpindi to take maximum advantage of the Shiva element working on Mahashivratri. Its Rudrabhishek, Laghurudra, Maharudra, Atirudra are of such types. Rudrabhishek means one rotation of Rudra, Laghurudra means 121 cycles of Rudra, Maharudra means 11 Laghurudras and Atirudra means 11 Maharudras.
The main reasons for performing Santdhar Abhishek on Shivpindi
Shiva and Parvati are considered to be the parents of the world. The Pindi and Argha remain moist due to the continuous stream falling from the Abhishek pot. Argha is a symbol of the vagina. Keeping the vagina of Jaganmata constantly moist, that is, staying wet is a sign of the continuous working of Shakti. Shakti works to implement Shiva. The manifestation of Shiva Tattva means the manifestation of the Nirguna Tattva of Shiva in Saguna. By doing Abhishek, the worshiper gets the benefit of the sagun waves of Shiva.
Due to the accumulation of Shiva-Shakti in the Pindi, a large amount of energy is created. Ordinary visitors may suffer from this energy as they do not have the capacity to bear this energy. Therefore a continuous stream of water is flown over the pindi. This makes the power there for the visitors to bear and receive.
Bilvarchan – Offering of Bel Patra (Bilva leaves) to Shiva
On Mahashivratri, some people especially offer Bilvarchan i.e. Bel leaves to Lord Shiva. Offering belpatra on Shivpindi while chanting the name of Shiva or taking each of his names is called Bilvarchan. In this method Shivpindi is completely covered with Bel leaves. While showing the incense sticks to Shiva, incense sticks of the scents of jasmine and henna are used for worship and the perfume of these fragrances is offered. But on the festival of Mahashivratri, Shiva is told to use perfume and incense sticks with the aroma of kevda.
Why not use perfume and incense sticks with the fragrance of Kevade (Kewra) in the worship of Shiva on the festival of Mahashivratri?
The power of projection of waves of knowledge is high in Kevade. Kevada acts as an antidote at the level of knowledge power. That is why it is called completely Laykari. The ritual is not related to the rhythmic power, so as far as possible, Shiva does not use kevda in worship. Even after that, Kevada leaves are used as a remedy for the troubles of negative energies. From this point of view, on the festival of Mahashivratri, it has been said to use perfume and incense sticks containing the fragrance of Kevade to worship the antidote form of Shiva.