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Maha Shivratri – a Hindu festival of India

Happy Maha Shivratri!

WHAT…

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance.

Shivratri occurs every month, whereas Maha Shivratri is the great night of Shiva that occurs only once a year.

WHY?

Different legends describe the significance of Maha Shivratri. According to one legend in the Shaivism tradition, this is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction. This event is called Natyanjali, literally “worship through dance”, at the Chidambaram temple which is famous for its sculpture depicting all dance mudras in the ancient Hindu text of performance arts called Natya Shastra.

MYTHOLOGY

Some say that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married on this day, while others say that Lord Shiva had consumed the poison that occurred due to the war between gods and demons. He held the poison in his throat which caused it to turn blue.

HOW?

It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.

Wishing everyone celebrating  a blessed day!

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