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47-422: The iconography of Lingodbhava represents Shiva emerging out of the pillar of light , with smaller images of Vishnu in the form of a boar in the bottom and Brahma in the form of a gander at the top. The icon depicts the legend of the origin of the linga , Shiva's aniconic representation, often featured in his worship. The tale of Lingodbhava is found in various Puranas , and is regarded to be an assimilation

94-503: A lingam - an emblematic figure of Shiva. Different legends describe the significance of Maha Shivaratri. According to one legend in the Shaivism tradition, this is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction. The chanting of hymns, the reading of Shiva scriptures and the chorus of devotees joins this cosmic dance and remembers Shiva's presence everywhere. According to another legend, this

141-428: A fiery column of light. Originally, there were believed to have been 64 jyotirlingas of which twelve are considered to be very auspicious and holy. The twelve jyotirlinga sites take the names of their respective presiding deity, and each is considered a different manifestation of Shiva. At all these sites, the primary image is lingam , representing the beginningless and endless stambha (pillar), symbolising

188-506: A massive pillar of light , and challenged them to find his source. Brahma took the form of a gander, and flew to the sky to see the top of the flame, while Vishnu became the boar Varaha , and sought its base. This scene is called the Lingodbhava and is represented in the western wall at the sanctum of many Shiva temples. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu could find the source, and while Vishnu conceded his defeat, Brahma lied and said he had found

235-597: A naked beggar, to get absolved of his sin. This sin is finally absolved at Varanasi on the banks of the Ganga river. The legend is detailed in the Vishnu Purana . The Lingodbhava image can be found in the first precinct around the sanctum in the wall exactly behind the image of Shiva in the central shrine with Vishnu and Brahma in the sides. Lingodbhava or emergence of the Lingam, found in various puranas , augments

282-439: A result, he acquired the epithet Nilakantha . It is also believed that the famous Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is the place where this incident took place. The significance of dance tradition to this festival has historical roots. The Maha Shivaratri has served as a historic confluence of artists for annual dance festivals at major Hindu temples such as at Konark , Khajuraho , Pattadakal , Modhera and Chidambaram . This event

329-590: Is a devotional representation of the Hindu god Shiva . The word is a Sanskrit compound of jyotis ('radiance') and linga ('sign'). The Śiva Mahāpurāṇam (also Shiva Purana ) mentions 64 original jyotirlinga shrines in India . According to a Shiva legend from the Shiva Purana, once, Brahma (the god of creation) and Vishnu (the god of preservation) had an argument over their supremacy. To settle

376-588: Is a national holiday in Nepal and celebrated widely in temples all over the country, especially in the Pashupatinath temple . Thousands of devotees visit the famous Shiva Shakti Peetham nearby as well. Holy rituals are performed all over the nation. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated as Nepali Army Day amid a spectacular ceremony held at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel . In the capital city of Kathmandu, there

423-549: Is a provision of road blockage where children use ropes and strings to stop the people or vehicle passing through in exchange of money. Worshippers of Shiva stay up all night and smoke marijuana as Shiva is believed to be an avid smoker and marijuana smoking on this day is called taking ‘Shivako Prasad’ or ‘Shiva Buti’ literally the "Blessing of Shiva". Crowds of sadhus and saints travel to Pashupatinath Temple located in Kathmandu from all of Nepal and neighbouring India to celebrate

470-546: Is a solemn event notable for its introspective focus, fasting, meditation on Shiva, self study, social harmony and an all-night vigil at Shiva temples. The celebration includes maintaining a jagarana , an all-night vigil and prayers, because Shaiva Hindus mark this night as "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in one's life and the world through Shiva. Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk are made to Shiva, some perform all-day fasting with Vedic or Tantric worship of Shiva, and some perform meditative yoga . In Shiva temples,

517-510: 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 . Similarly, at Khajuraho Shiva temples, a major fair and dance festival on Maha Shivaratri, involving Shaiva pilgrims camped over miles around the temple complex, was documented by Alexander Cunningham in 1864. Maha Shivaratri

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564-564: Is celebrated by the Hindus of Kashmir and is called, "Herath" in Kashmiri, a word derived from the Sanskrit word "Hararatri" the "Night of Hara" (another name of Shiva). Shivaratri, regarded as the most important festival of the community, for instance, is celebrated by them on trayodashi or the thirteenth of the dark half of the month of Phalguna (February–March) and not on the chaturdashi or

611-457: Is celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) in all Shiva temples when Shiva is believed to have performed the cosmic dance. The same day as per Arunachala Puranam , the literary history of Annamalaiyar Temple , is considered the day when Shiva rose as a column of fire when both Vishnu and Brahma could not find his origin. The living beings in the three worlds could not bear

658-584: Is celebrated in Tamil Nadu with great pomp and fanfare in the Annamalaiyar temple located in Tiruvannamalai district. The special process of worship on this day is Girivalam or Giri Pradakshina, a 14-kilometer bare foot walk around Shiva's temple on top of the hill. A huge lamp of oil and camphor is lit on the hilltop at sunset - not to be confused with Karthigai Deepam . A ritual marathon

705-466: Is in the town of Mandi is particularly famous as a venue for Maha Shivaratri celebrations. It is believed that all gods and goddesses of the area, said to number more than 200, assemble here on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Mandi, located on the banks of Beas , is popularly known as the "Cathedral of Temples" and one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh, with about 81 temples of different deities on its periphery. In Kashmir Shaivism , Maha Shivaratri

752-429: Is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: māsa (lunar month), pakṣa (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. amānta / pūrṇimānta . If a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify

799-564: Is not only outside of us but within us. To unite ourselves with the One Self is to recognize the Shiva in us. — The Theosophical Movement, Volume 72 Maha Shivaratri is particularly important in the Shaivism tradition of Hinduism . Unlike most Hindu festivals that are celebrated during the day, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. Furthermore, unlike most Hindu festivals that include expression of cultural revelry, Maha Shivaratri

846-409: Is observed devoutly by unmarried girls and boys seeking a suitable husband or wife, often visiting Tarakeswar . In Odisha , Maha Shivaratri is also known as Jagara . People fast for their wishes whole day and take food after 'Mahadipa' (The great diya) rises at the top of Shiva temple. It usually is held during midnight. Unmarried girls also worship for seeking a suitable husband. Maha Shivaratri

893-488: Is one of the most important festivals that is celebrated with much grandeur. The ardent worshippers stay awake all night and visit temples to take part in the rituals. Popular temple destinations such as Dharmasthala , Murudeshwara , Gokarna , Nanjangud , Male Madeshwara Hills , Kadu Malleshwara , Kotilingeshwara , Mylaralingeshwara among others are thronged with devotees across the state and other neighbouring states. The Isha Foundation 's festivities are replicated at

940-583: Is performed until 5 am, when an aarti is then done. Devotees then walk barefoot with women carrying a pooja thali containing flowers, incense sticks, rice, coconut and a diya to the sea after which they are free to break their fast. They eat breakfast later on, which was made in the temple kitchen. Maha Shivaratri is the main Hindu festival among the Shaiva Hindu diaspora from Nepal and India . In Indo-Caribbean communities, thousands of Hindus spend

987-417: Is represented by a pitcher full of water in which walnuts are kept for soaking and worshipped along with Shiva, Parvati, Kumara, Ganesha, their ganas or attendant deities, yoginis and kshetrapalas (guardians of the quarters) – all represented by clay images. The soaked walnuts are later distributed as naivedya. The ceremony is called 'vatuk barun' in Kashmiri, which means filling the pitcher of water representing

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1034-552: Is the night when Shiva and Parvati got married. A different legend states the offering to Shiva icons, such as the linga, is an annual occasion to overcome any past sins, to restart on a virtuous path, and thereby reach Mount Kailasha for liberation. It is also believed that on this particular day, Shiva gulped the Halahala produced during the Samudra Manthana and held it in his neck, which bruised and turned blue. As

1081-883: Is undertaken by the devotees to the 12 Shiva shrines in the district of Kanyakumari on the day of Shivaratri called Sivalaya Ottam . In recent years, the Isha Foundation has been a major patron of such festivities in India, with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi having attended the celebration hosted at the site of the Giant Adiyogi in Coimbatore . The major Jyotirlinga Shiva temples of India, such as in Varanasi and Somanatha , are particularly frequented on Maha Shivaratri. They serve also as sites for fairs and special events. In Karnataka , Mahashivaratri

1128-509: The Adiyogi Shiva temple at Chikkaballapur which was inaugurated on 15 January 2023. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana , special pujas are held at Pancharamas - Amararamam of Amaravati , Somaramam of Bhimavaram , Draksharamam , Kumararama of Samarlakota and Ksheerarama of Palakollu. The days immediately after Shivaratri are celebrated as Brahmotsavaalu at Srisailam , one of 12 Jyotirlinga sites. Mahashivaratri utsavalu are held at

1175-583: The Rudreshwara Swamy's 1000 pillar temple in Warangal . Devotees throng for the special poojas at Srikalahasti , Mahanandi , Yaganti , Antarvedi , Kattamanchi , Pattiseema , Bhairavakona , Hanamkonda , Keesaragutta , Vemulawada , Panagal , Kolanupaka amongst others. Shivaratri yatras are held at Mallayya gutta near Kambhalapalle, Gundlakamma Kona near Railway Koduru, Penchalakona, Bhairavakona, Uma Maheswaram amongst others. The Mandi fair

1222-550: The Vatuka Bhairava with walnuts and worshipping it. Central India has a large number of Shaiva followers. The Mahakaleshwar Temple , Ujjain is one of the most venerated shrines consecrated to Shiva, where a large congregation of devotees gathers to offer prayers on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Tilwara Ghat in the city of Jabalpur and the Math Temple in the village of Jeonara , Seoni are two other places where

1269-527: The Vigil Night of Shiva, Mahashivaratri, we are brought to the moment of interval between destruction and regeneration; it symbolizes the night when we must contemplate on that which watches the growth out of the decay. During Mahashivaratri we have to be alone with our sword, the Shiva out of us. We have to look behind and before, to see what evil needs eradicating from our heart, what growth of virtue we need to encourage. Shiva

1316-407: The awe-inspiring jvala-linga. The Goddess blessed both Vatuka and Ramana that they would be worshipped by human beings and would receive their share of sacrificial offerings on that day and those who would worship them would have all their wishes fulfilled. As Vatuka Bhairava emerged from a pitcher full of water after Mahadevi cast a glance into it, fully armed with all his weapons (and so did Rama), he

1363-458: The beautiful night in over four hundred temples across multiple countries, offering special jhalls (an offering of milk and curd, flowers, sugarcane and sweets) to Shiva. In Mauritius , Hindus go on pilgrimage to Ganga Talao , a crater-lake. Fasting and meditation is recommended for Hindus during Maha Shrivastri. Those fasting may engage in "nirjala vrat," or fasting from all food and water, or fast from meat, eating only fruits and milk during

1410-683: The day and perform puja on this day. Another major temple where Shivaratri is celebrated is the Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple in Karachi whose Shivaratri festival is attended by 25,000 people. On the Shivaratri night, Hindus in Karachi fast and visit the temple. Later, devotees from the Chanesar Goth come to the temple carrying water from the holy river Ganges , in order to bathe the idol of Shiva . Puja

1457-409: The day. In Shaivism , fasting is traditionally associated with Shiva worship. It is customary for the devotees of Shiva not to eat anything until they worship him and make him offerings. On most of the days, they do not have to fast for a whole day because the worship is performed in the early morning. However, on the day of Maha Shivaratri, they have to wait because the worship continues late into

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1504-407: The debate, Shiva pierced the three worlds, appearing as a huge, infinite pillar of light, the jyotirlinga. Brahma and Vishnu decided to ascend and descend across a pillar of light respectively, to find the end of the light in either direction. According to some iterations, Vishnu assumed his Varaha avatar to achieve this task, while Brahma rode a hamsa (swan). Brahma lied that he had discovered

1551-524: The discovery of Shiva. Ardent devotees stay awake throughout this night. Others visit one of the Shiva temples or go on a pilgrimage to the Jyotirlingams . The festival is believed to have originated in 5th century BCE. In Kashmir Shaivism , the festival is called Har-ratri or phonetically simpler Haerath or Herath by Shiva devotees of the Kashmir region. A festival of contemplation During

1598-412: The end of the light, producing a ketakī flower as proof, while Vishnu admitted that he could not find the end of the light from his journey. The dishonesty of Brahma angered Shiva, causing him to curse the creator deity that he would not be worshipped; he also declared that Vishnu would be eternally worshipped for his honesty. The jyotirlinga shrines are regarded to be the temples where Shiva appeared as

1645-490: The festival is celebrated with much religious fervour. In Punjab , Shobha Yatras would be organised by various Hindu organisations in different cities. It is a grand festival for Punjabi Hindus . In Gujarat , Maha Shivaratri mela is held at Bhavnath near Junagadh where bathing in the Mrugi (Mrigi) kund is considered holy. According to myth, Shiva himself comes to bath in the Mrugi kund. In West Bengal , Maha Shivaratri

1692-431: The first mention of Lingothbhava which mentions that Shiva wanted to decide dispute of supremacy between Vishnu and Brahma. Appar , one of the early Shaiva saint of the 7th century, gives evidence of this knowledge of puranic episodes relating to Lingodbhava form of Shiva while Tirugnana Sambandar refers this form of Shiva as the nature of light that could not be comprehended by Brahma and Vishnu. Thiruvathirai festival

1739-494: The form of a gander is seen on the top of the lingam. In some temples, Lingothbhava is depicted in this form along with Brahma on the right of the image while Vishnu to the left of Shiva, both worshipping Shiva emerging as a column of fire. Lingobhava along with Dakshinamurthy is considered the most common forms of Shiva in the South Indian temples from Chola times. Tirukkural , the classic Tamil language couplets has

1786-499: The fourteenth as in the rest of the country. The reason for it is that this long drawn festival that is celebrated for one full fortnight as an elaborate ritual is associated with the appearance of Bhairava ( Shiva ) as a jvala-linga or a linga of flame. It has been described as Bhairavotsava in Tantric texts as on this occasion Bhairava and Bhairavi , his Shakti or cosmic energy, are propitiated through Tantric worship. According to

1833-625: The heat of column and at the request of celestial deities, Shiva cooled down as the mountain Arunachala . The Shivaratri when he cooled down is called the Lingothbhavar day. The day is considered when the genesis of mixture of form and formless manifestation of Shiva. Jyotirlinga Traditional Saiddhantika Non - Saiddhantika A Jyotirlinga ( Sanskrit : ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग , romanized :  Jyotirliṅga , lit.   'lingam of light') or Jyotirlingam

1880-553: The infinite nature of Shiva. The following shloka (द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंग स्तोत्रम् Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga Stotram ) describes the 12 jyotirlingas : The names and the locations of 12 jyotirlingas are mentioned in the Shiva Purana ( Śatarudra Saṁhitā , Ch.42/2-4). The detailed stories are given in Kotirudra Saṁhitā, chapters 14 to 33. These temples (not in order) are: Shivaratri The Hindu calendar

1927-405: The legend associated with the origin of the worship, the linga appeared at pradoshakala or the dusk of early night as a blazing column of fire and dazzled Vatuka Bhairava and Rama (or Ramana) Bhairava, Mahadevi's mind-born sons, who approached it to discover its beginning or end but miserably failed. Exasperated and terrified they began to sing its praises and went to Mahadevi, who herself merged with

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1974-531: The old cults of pillar-veneration. The earliest literary evidence of the iconic representation is found in the 7th century works of the Shaiva saints Appar and Sambandar . The other indicative mention is found in the Tirukkural , a c. 5th-century Tamil text. In a Shaiva legend, the deities Vishnu and Brahma once engaged in a debate regarding their superiority. To resolve the debate, Shiva appeared as

2021-422: The pinnacle. Angered by the latter's dishonesty, Shiva took the form of Bhairava and decapitated one of the five heads of Brahma. Furthermore, in punishment, Shiva ordained that Brahma would never have temples on earth for his worship. As Shiva cut off Brahma's fifth head, he had committed the sin of brahmahatyāpāpa (murder of a Brahmin or an equivalent crime) and had to roam the three worlds as Bhikshatana ,

2068-570: The sacred Panchakshara mantra of Shiva, " Om Namah Shivaya " is chanted throughout the day. Devotees praise Shiva through the recitation of the hymn called the Shiva Chalisa . The Maha Shivaratri is mentioned in several Puranas , particularly the Skanda Purana , Linga Purana , and Padma Purana . These medieval era Shaiva texts present different versions associated with this festival, such as fasting, and offering reverence to

2115-432: The same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. Saiddhantika Non - Saiddhantika Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the deity Shiva , between February and March. According to the Hindu calendar , the festival is observed on the fourteenth day of the first half (night start with darkness - waning) of the lunar month of Phalguna . The festival commemorates

2162-415: The synthesis of the old cults of pillar and symbolic worship. The idea emerged from deity residing in a pillar and later visualised as Shiva emerging from the lingam. Shiva is represented in South Indian temples in form of Lingam . The image of Lingothbhava is depicted with Shiva emerging from Linga in his original form. Vishnu in the form of boar is usually depicted in the bottom of the lingam while Brahma in

2209-521: The wedding of Shiva and Parvati , and the occasion that Shiva performs his divine dance, called the Tandava . It is a notable festival in Hinduism , marking a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. 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

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