Maha Shivratri at Maa Vaishno Shakti Dham:
Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival, celebrated at Maa Vaishno Shakti Dham Mandir, Surat with much pomp and enthusiasm.
So, the festival usually falls every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu calendar.
So, The festival is exclusively dedicated to Lord Shiva which is known by hundreds of names.
It is the day to rejoice and pray to the almighty for wellness. Almost all Hindus offer prayers in the morning/evening while some observe fasting throughout the day.
Significance of Maha Shivratri:
- Maha Shivratri celebrates the union of Shiva and Shakti, the two greatest forces of the Universe.
- It is believed that Maha Shivratri is the favorite night of Lord Shiva.
- On this night Shiva performed the Tandava dance, the furious dance of all creation and destruction in the Universe.
- Devotees can get liberation from their sins if they take the name of Lord Shiva during this auspicious night.
- Devotees stay up all night to give company to Lord Shiva, who was not supposed to sleep after drinking the ocean poison after Samudra Manthan.
- Millions of people visit the 12 Jyotirlinga Shiva temples or their local temples to offer prayers and witness the Rudra Abhisekham of Lord Shiva on this night.
- There are clear instructions in the Shiv Purana about the ingredients to be used for worshipping the Lingam on Maha Shivratri, and their specific benefits.
- Maha Sivaratri is crucial for gaining control over the Rajas Guna (excess passion) and Tamas Guna (ignorance) by observing Vrat.