Shivratri

Arav Malik

Shivratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated every year in honour of Lord Shiva. It is one of the most important festivals in India and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion.

The word “Shivratri” means “Night of Shiva”. It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalguna (February/March). This day is considered to be very auspicious as it is believed that Lord Shiva performs his cosmic dance on this day.

The festival of Shivratri is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. In some parts of the country, people fast throughout the day and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. They also visit Shiva temples and offer milk, flowers, and other offerings to the deity. Some people also perform a special puja called the “Shiva Linga puja” in which they worship the lingam, which is a symbol of Lord Shiva. 

Shivratri is unique to Hindus of Kashmiri origin, like my family. It is celebrated a day ahead of the celebration by other Hindus in the world. Pitchers full of water that are filled with walnuts, although we use almonds, are worshipped with milk, flowers, rice-grains, sugar cubes and many more ingredients. Shiva, Parvati (wife) and the attendant deities, all represented by clay images, are worshipped with milk-water and special ingredients bought for prayers.

We listen to the chanting as part of prayers from youtube video and it explains the details in an easy format that normally lasts an hour an a half. In the end we start a small fire that is called  Hawan. Ghee and other ingredients are slowly poured in it until chanting finishes. In the end, we sing “Om Jai Jagadesh” prayers as a family.  We share the rice-roti as Prasad soon after. My mum continues the small celebration for the next couple days until she organises to get the Prasad (almonds and sweets etc) distributed to our nearby family-friends. I enjoy following the prayer-chanting . My favourite part is  showering the Shiv linga with milk-water and in the end putting ghee in the Hawan.

The festival of Shivratri is not only about worshipping Lord Shiva but also seeking his blessings for  happy and prosperous life. It also has  social significance where friends and family come together to wish each other and celebrate together. 

In conclusion, Shivratri is a very important Hindu festival  It is a time to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and seek his blessings for a happy and prosperous life. It is also a time to celebrate with friends and family and enjoy the festive atmosphere.