{"id":75142,"date":"2020-02-21T11:53:04","date_gmt":"2020-02-21T06:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/?p=75142"},"modified":"2020-02-21T11:52:04","modified_gmt":"2020-02-21T06:22:04","slug":"maha-shivratri-2020-date-story-and-how-to-keep-fast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/festivals\/maha-shivratri-2020-date-story-and-how-to-keep-fast","title":{"rendered":"Maha Shivratri 2020 – Read The Shiv Chalisa, Story and How to Keep Fast"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Maha<\/a>
Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival, dedicated to Lord Shiva.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, we celebrate the Maha Shivratri or \u201cthe Great Night of Shiva\u201d. But, according to the South Indian Calendar, it occurs on the Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha. The festival of Shivratri is significant as it marks a remembrance to \u201covercoming darkness and ignorance\u201d.<\/p>\n

This festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva who was the first Adi guru, the discoverer of truth and bliss. He is the one from whom knowledge originated. According to some legends, Lord Shiva is considered as the creator as well as the destroyer of the Universe.<\/p>\n

How to keep Fast on the Day of Maha Shivratri?<\/h1>\n

Mahashivratri Vrat or the Shivratri Vratam is kept by the devotees in order to impress Lord Shiva. They do not eat during the whole day. At night, they offer prayers to the Lord and then consume food. Hindu fasts are kept with extreme devotion and self-determination for seeking the blessings of the Lord. Offerings of Bel Patra (Wood apple leaves), Dhatura, Pan, and Supari, etc. are offered to the Lord as these things are considered to be his favourite. Cold Water and Milk is offered to the Shiv Linga.<\/p>\n

One can offer prayers to the Lord in all four prahars<\/em> of the day but usually, the main prayers of Shivratri are done during the night as Shiv Ratri is celebrated at the night time. It is believed that on this night the northern hemispheres of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural magnification of energy inside a human being. To allow the natural upsurge of energy enter your body one should sit with a straight back and be awake.<\/p>\n

You can keep fasts all day long and eat after sunset or you can consume fruits and milk as per your choice.<\/p>\n

The story behind the celebration of Maha Shivratri<\/h2>\n

There are many legends associated with the festival of Maha Shivratri<\/a><\/span>. The most prominent one in North-India is of the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that Shiva and Parvati got married on this day and to celebrate this occasion, the night of their marriage is considered as Maha Shivratri. Temples are beautifully decorated and various kinds of sweets and food items are offered to the deity. Unmarried girls keep fasts and pray to Lord Shiva for blessing them with a husband like him.<\/p>\n

Another popular belief associated with Maha Shivratri is the legend of “Neelkantha”. According to this story, during Samudra Manthan,<\/em> there was a tug of war between the Gods and Demons for the divine Nector. Both the parties wanted to drink the nectar but it could not be obtained until someone drank the poison. There was chaos everywhere due to the War between Gods and demons.<\/p>\n

So, in order to save the Universe from destruction, Lord Shiva drank the poison. To save Lord Shiva, Parvati along with the other Lords stood awake all night and tried to keep Lord Shiva also awake to protect him from the harmful effects of the poison. Nobody ate or drank anything the whole night. Lord Shiva was saved but his throat turned blue. Since then, he is recognized as “Neelkantha”<\/em> and the night is celebrated as the night of Maha Shivratri. People keep fasts for the whole day to show their love and devotion for the sacrifice of Lord Shiva made for the world and celebrate the occasion at night by offering delicious food.<\/p>\n

According to legends, Lord Shiva is the Supreme power. Truth, Tranquility, Innocence and Beauty all reside in Lord Shiva.<\/p>\n

Here is the Shiv Chalisa for you:<\/h2>\n

Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan<\/p>\n

Mangal Mul Sujan<\/p>\n

Kahat Ayodhya Das Tum Dev Abhaya<\/p>\n

Varadan<\/p>\n

Jai Girija Pati Dinadayala<\/p>\n

Sada Karat Santan Pratipala<\/p>\n

Bhala Chandrama Sohat Nike Kanan<\/p>\n

Kundal Nagaphani Ke<\/p>\n

Anga Gaur Shira Ganga Bahaye<\/p>\n

Mundamala Tan Chhara Lagaye<\/p>\n

Vastra Khala Baghambar Sohain Chhavi<\/p>\n

Ko Dekha Naga Muni Mohain<\/p>\n

Maina Matu Ki Havai Dulari<\/p>\n

Vama Anga Sohat Chhavi Nyari<\/p>\n

Kara Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari Karat<\/p>\n

Sada Shatrun Chhayakari<\/p>\n

Nandi Ganesh Sohain Tahan Kaise<\/p>\n

Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise<\/p>\n

Kartik Shyam Aur Ganara-U Ya Chhavi<\/p>\n

Ko Kahi Jata Na Kauo<\/p>\n

Devan Jabahi Jaya Pukara<\/p>\n

Tabahi Dukha Prabhu Apa Nivara<\/p>\n

Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari Devan Sab Mili<\/p>\n

Tumahi Juhari<\/p>\n

Turata Shadanana Apa Pathayau<\/p>\n

Lava-Ni-Mesh Mahan Mari Girayau<\/p>\n

Apa Jalandhara Asura Sanhara Suyash<\/p>\n

Tumhara Vidit Sansara<\/p>\n

Tripurasur Sana Yudha Machayi<\/p>\n

Sabhi Kripakar Lina Bachayi<\/p>\n

Kiya Tapahin Bhagiratha Bhari Purva<\/p>\n

Pratigya Tasu Purari<\/p>\n

Danin Mahan Tum Sama Kou Nahin<\/p>\n

Sevak Astuti Karat Sadahin<\/p>\n

Veda Nam Mahima Tab Gayaee Akatha<\/p>\n

Anandi Bhed Nahin Payee<\/p>\n

Pragate Udadhi Mantan Men Jvala<\/p>\n

Jarat Sura-Sur Bhaye Vihala<\/p>\n

Kinha Daya Tahan Kari Sahayee<\/p>\n

Nilakantha Tab Nam Kahayee<\/p>\n

Pujan Ramchandra Jab Kinha<\/p>\n

Jiti Ke Lanka Vibhishan Dinhi<\/p>\n

Sahas Kamal Men Ho Rahe Dhari Kinha<\/p>\n

Pariksha Tabahin Purari<\/p>\n

Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joi<\/p>\n

Kushal-Nain Pujan Chaha Soi<\/p>\n

Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar<\/p>\n

Bhaye Prasanna Diye-Ichchhit Var<\/p>\n

Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi<\/p>\n

Karat Kripa Sabake Ghat Vasi<\/p>\n

Dushta Sakal Nit Mohin Satavai<\/p>\n

Bhramat Rahe Mohin Chain Na Avai<\/p>\n

Trahi-Trahi Main Nath Pukaro<\/p>\n

Yahi Avasar Mohi Ana Ubaro<\/p>\n

Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro<\/p>\n

Sankat Se Mohin Ana Ubaro<\/p>\n

Mata Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi<\/p>\n

Sankat Men Puchhat Nahin Koi<\/p>\n

Svami Ek Hai Asha Tumhari<\/p>\n

Ava Harahu Aba Sankat Bhari<\/p>\n

Dhan Nirdhan Ko Deta Sadahin<\/p>\n

Jo Koi Janche So Phal Pahin<\/p>\n

Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karai Tumhari<\/p>\n

Kshamahu Nath Aba Chuka Hamari<\/p>\n

Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nishan<\/p>\n

Vighna Vinashan Mangal Karan<\/p>\n

Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavan<\/p>\n

Sharad Narad Shisha Navavain<\/p>\n

Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaya<\/p>\n

Sura Brahmadik Par Na Paya<\/p>\n

Jo Yah Patha Karai Man Lai<\/p>\n

Tapar Hota Hai Shambhu Sahayee<\/p>\n

Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari<\/p>\n

Patha Karai So Pavan Hari<\/p>\n

Putra-hin Ichchha Kar Koi<\/p>\n

Nischaya Shiva Prasad Tehin Hoi<\/p>\n

Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lavai<\/p>\n

Dhyan-Purvak Homa Karavai<\/p>\n

Trayodashi Vrat Kare Hamesha<\/p>\n

Tan Nahin Take Rahe Kalesha<\/p>\n

Dhupa Dipa Naivedya Charhavai<\/p>\n

Anta Vasa Shivapur Men Pavai<\/p>\n

Kahai Ayodhya Asha Tumhari<\/p>\n

Jani Sakal Dukha Harahu Hamari<\/p>\n

Nitya Nema kari Pratahi<\/p>\n

Patha karau Chalis<\/p>\n

Tum Meri Man Kamana<\/p>\n

Purna Karahu Jagadish<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Om Shivaya Namaa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today, we celebrate the Maha Shivratri or \u201cthe Great Night of Shiva\u201d. But, according to the South Indian Calendar, it occurs on the Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha. The festival of Shivratri is significant as it marks a remembrance to \u201covercoming darkness and ignorance\u201d. This festival is dedicated to Lord […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[536,11315],"tags":[6834,3017,7470],"class_list":{"0":"post-75142","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-festivals","8":"category-india","9":"tag-indian-festivals","10":"tag-lord-shiva","11":"tag-maha-shivaratri"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75142"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":96289,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75142\/revisions\/96289"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}