Maha Shiva Raatri
means the great night of Lord Shiva and it is observed on the fourteenth lunar night(chaturdasi)of the dark forthnight(Krishna Paksh)in the Hindu month of Phalgun.This corresponds to late February and early March in the English calendar.
Maha Shiva Raatri's time duration is such that the lunar day or thithi(chaturdasi in this case)must pass through midnight.A great deal of preparation is involved in order to celebrate this religious event since it requires the performance of Pooja(prayers).
Lord Shiva is the Devta or diety worshipped here.His worship is done in the form of a Lingam Pooja.
The Lingam is a stone with an oval shape and it represents the abstract form of God.
During Maha Shiva Raatri,Hindus in Trinidad observe fasting.They abstain from eating and drinking forbidden foods and they will make all the necessary preparations for the Pooja which begins at sunset.
Actually,the complete Maha Shiva Raatri Pooja consists of four individual poojas.The first Pooja starts at sunset and with two hour intervals,the remaining three is done.The last one must finish at midnight.A vigil is maintained all night until before sunrise of the next morning.Bhajans and kirtan(hymns and praises)are encouraged in order to maintain this vigil and also discourses relevant to the occasion are read.
The first Pooja culminates with the offering of milk;
at the end of the second Dahee or curds are offered ;
at the end of the third Ghee (cow's butter) is offered
and at the end of the last Pooja, honey is offered on the Lingam.
From midnight until before sunrise next morning, Jal or water is offered on the Lingam .However,the most important article of worship in this Pooja is Bail leaves (the leaves of the wood apple tree).These leaves are exceedingly loved by Lord Shiva and the offering of same brings some form of spiritual elevation to the person who has made such an offering.
In order to achieve the maximum benefits,the services of a qualified Pandit (Hindu priest) is very important in performing this Pooja.
Important Notes On Maha Shiva Raatri.....
Lord Shiva grants His blessings to His devotees who worships Him on the night of Maha Shiva Raatri.Worshiping Him on this night promotes spiritual growth.
Maha Shiva Raatri does not in any way relate to the birthday or the wedding of Lord Shiva.Any such discourses read on this night is purely coincidental and does not indicate that these incidents took place on the night of Maha Shiva Raatri.,BR>
Care should be taken in the selection of a Lingam. A Lingam with an image of Lord Shiva and /or His consort Parvati or a snake as is commonly seen,is NOT considered as a Lingam but as a Murti.Therefore,it is not appropriate to use such,as a Lingam for this purpose.The Lingam is a representation of the infinite form of God,without beginning and without end and this cannot be effectively represented by a Lingam with a human resemblance.
The offering of Jal (water)on the Lingam should NOT extend on to daytime of the following day.The word Raatri means night and any worship that extends into daytime violates the concept of night and day and constitutes sin.
Shiva Raatri.....
Shiva Raatri occurs once a month on the night of the fourteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh or the dark forthnight.There are eleven Shiva Raatris in a year but in Malmaas,there is one more and in Kshai Maas there is another.
Lord Shiva is worshipped at this time with all the grandeur of Maha Shiva Raatri.The worship of the Murti can also be done at this time.
The importance of time.....
Since Maha Shiva Raatri must go past midnight of the night in question,the chances are that the thithi or lunar day (chaturdashi in this case)might not last until the next morning.For example, it might finish at two o'clock in the morning;how does this affect the proceedings?
The celebrations can continue as normal and conclude at two o'clock in the morning or it can continue and conclude before the sun rises.This would be a matter of personal choice.In any event,both ways are in accordance with the Shastric (recommended) principles and are acceptable.
Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.
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