The Truth About Maha Shivratri- For generations, India has been a confluence of a number of cultures. A place where religions, ideologies, and cultures have existed in harmony that has defined the very nature of how we live our day-to-day lives. A place where Holi and Eid are celebrated with equal fervour and gusto as each other. Place where there are as many festivals as grains of sand at the beach. India is truly a melting pot of civilization, and we are all proud of its rich and varied heritage.
Speaking of which, we are all set for one of the first major festivals of the Indian calendar in the form of Mahashivratri, which falls tomorrow, that is the 1st of March. The festival which is celebrated each year in honour of Lord Shiva is also said to be the night that the mighty deity performs his heavenly dance. However, there are a lot of us who more often than not confuse this festival with “Shivratri”, when it is not one and the same.
The Real Difference Between Shivratri And Maha Shivratri
So with that in mind, let us have a look at the differences between the two festivals and see what each one signifies. It is important for the upcoming generations to know this and to understand why Maha Shivratri is of such high significance.
The primary and the most significant difference between the two festivals is the occurrence and the frequency. While Shivratri occurs every month of the year, Mahashivratri is a special occasion that occurs only once a year.
Secondly, Shivratri is celebrated on the occasion known as the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha every month. This is also referred to by many as Pradosh. In layman’s terms, the 14th day of every Lunar month is known as the Shivratri. This means that there are twelve Shivratris in a year that occur before the new moon. On this day, many devotees offer puja to honour Shiva.
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A Festival To Be Cherished And Appreciated At The Same Time; Devotees Of Shiva Love This Time Of The Year
Of these 12 Shivratris, the Mahashivratri is the most important and the auspicious of the 12. It falls on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Falgun. This day is celebrated by devotees with a lot of gusto and joy.
And last but not the least, according to legend, this happens to be the exact same day. The day that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married to each other, i.e., Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha, aka Mahashivratri.
At the end of the day, when the world is in despair. It’s best to turn to Lord Shiva and find peace and prosperity in a time of destruction and chaos. Ideally, India and Indians will hope to spread this message even more globally. The world at this point in time needs all the hope that it can get. Let’s see if they can find their own path to tranquillity. Or will Lord Shiva guide them to where they belong!!
