Maha Shiva Ratri

Today is the thirteenth day of A to Z challenge. The festival selected is Maha Shivratri.

Maha Shivaratri  is a very important festival for the Hindus.People observe fast, which lasts for twenty four hours During this fast, even drinking water is not permitted. If translated ,it means ‘the night of the Shiva’. It falls on the moonless night of February. According to a  legend, 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.  

Shiva Linga

This turned His throat blue, and since then he came to be known as 'Nilkantha', the blue-throat-ed one. Shivratri, also celebrates this event by which Shiva saved the world. Shiv Linga is worshipped on this day.
                                                
                 

The whole night ‘chanting of ,’Om Namo Shivaya’ makes  the atmosphere calm and blissful. Woodapple  leaves, milk and water are offered to the Shiv Linga, as they are considered favourite of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva’s  Tandav Nritya, ‘The Dance of Bliss' symbolises the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. It is a belief that Lord Shiva has a third eye in the center of his forehead. If the eye opens, which is very rare, it leads to destruction.The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy – creation, destruction, preservation, salvation, and illusion.   

Lord Shiva's Tandav dance

         

According  to the scriptures, the  Kailash  peak of the Himalayas is the abode  of Shiva and his consort Parvati. He bears the Ganges on His head. Shiva is third among the divine trinity of Hindu mythology ie.Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh(Shiva). He is the giver of happiness to mankind.

               The video depicts the powerful  Lord Shiva's  Tandav Nritya(dance)  
                                                                    
Pics  courtesy google
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