New Delhi (01/03/2022): Devotees across India thronged temples of Lord Shiva on Tuesday to offer prayers on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
Considered one of the most auspicious festivals of Hindus, Maha Shivaratri, the literal translation of which is ‘the great night of Shiva’, was celebrated with great fervour at Shambhu Mahadev temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
Devotees were also seen participating in the celebrations of Maha Shivaratri at Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain.
The national capital too witnessed a sea of devotees offering prayers on the occasion.
It’s believed that while there is a Shivaratri every lunisolar month of the Hindu calendar, the Maha Shivaratri happens only once every year, in February/March, when winter comes to an end and spring and summer begin.
Out of the 12 Shivaratris observed in any given year, Maha Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious, as it is supposed to be the night of convergence of Shiva and Shakti, which in essence means the male and feminine energies, that keeps the world in balance. Shiva and Shakti are revered as the embodiment of love, energy, and unity.
There are different legends on the significance of Maha Shivaratri. One of the main legends say that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati tied the knot on this day.
