Om Sai Ram - Maha Shivarathri

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Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Lord Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus offer special prayer to the Divine Lord of destruction.

 

Shivratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is the night when he is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.

 

This cosmic dance of Shiva is called 'Anandatandava,' meaning the Dance of Bliss, and symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. The Divine Dance of Parameswara also represents his 5 Divine activities:

 

1. Shrishti - Creation, Evolution

 

2. Sthiti - Preservation, Support

 

3. Samhara - Destruction, Evolution

 

4. Tirobhava - Illusion

 

5. Anugraha - Grace

 

This one of the most sacred of the Hindu Festivals is observed for one day and one night only.

 

According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known as 'Nilkantha', the blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event by which Shiva saved the world.

 

It is most auspicious to listen Siva Suprabhatam and Siva stuti on Maha Sivaratri early morning during Brahma muhurtha between 4.30 AM and 6.00 AM before Sun rise. Please click the link below to listen audio clips : http://www.raaga.com/player4/?id=48117,48118 & mode=100 & rand=0.26011248932411523

 

Sri Kalahastheshwara Temple, Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh

 

The Only Hindu Temple in the world which is opened even during Lunar and Solar Eclipses as the Graha Doshas do not effect this Temple.