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Immerse yourself in a sea of spirituality and devotion this Maha Shivaratri on March 8! This holy festival traces its origins back thousands of years, celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Maha Shivaratri signifies the night when Lord Shiva performed the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction. This empowering event encourages everyone to stay awake all night, fasting and chanting with fervor, thereby submerging in a spiritual awakening! Let your spirit soar as you bask in the divine energy of Maha Shivaratri!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>500 BCE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origin of Maha Shivaratri</div><div class='timeline-text'>Maha Shivaratri, believed to have been celebrated since around 500 BCE, marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti, symbolizing creation.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>800s CE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Emergence of Shaivism</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the 800s CE, Shaivism (the worship of Shiva) became a dominant religious practice in India, further popularizing the celebration of Maha Shivaratri.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1300s CE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Temple Inscriptions</div><div class='timeline-text'>Inscriptions found in the temples from the 14th century indicate detailed procedures for the celebration of Maha Shivaratri.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700s CE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>British Documentation</div><div class='timeline-text'>British historical records from the 18th century included references to Maha Shivaratri, indicating its significance among the local population.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1900s CE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>By the 20th century, Maha Shivaratri was recognized and celebrated by the global Hindu diaspora, from Fiji and Guyana to the US and UK.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Participate in a midnight vigil</h3><p class='facts-text'>One of the key traditions of Maha Shivaratri is staying awake all night in reverence to Shiva. Gather with friends, family, or your spiritual community for a midnight vigil, reciting prayers, chanting mantras, singing devotional songs or meditating together.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Practice yoga and meditation</h3><p class='facts-text'>Lord Shiva is also known as the Adiyogi or the first yogi. Dedicate your yoga and meditation practice to Lord Shiva on this day. It can be a powerful spiritual experience that goes beyond physical flexibility and calmness. </p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create a Shiva-centric artwork</h3><p class='facts-text'>Engage your creativity by painting or sketching images associated with Lord Shiva - the Shiva Linga, the Trishul (Trident), Damroo (Drum) or Nandi (His Bull). This could be a meditative practice that also adds a creative flourish to the festival.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Invite others for a Satsang</h3><p class='facts-text'>Satsang is a gathering of people who talk about, sing about, and absorb the truth of divine principles. Hosting a satsang with your loved ones on Maha Shivaratri can be an enlightening way to honor Lord Shiva.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cook and distribute Prasad</h3><p class='facts-text'>Prasad is sacred food offered to deities and later distributed among devotees. On Maha Shivaratri, it is customary to make Prasad – which could include fruits, sweets, or specially made dishes, and share it with your community.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Deepens Spiritual Awareness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Maha Shivaratri offers us a chance to immerse ourselves in spirituality and devotion. By staying awake all night, fasting, and chanting prayers, the festival encourages us to delve deeper into our spiritual self, ultimately leading to self-realization and enlightenment.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages Unity and Togetherness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Through shared prayers, yoga practices, and satsangs, Maha Shivaratri brings together people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures together. The festival's communal spirit fosters unity and brotherhood, reminding us of our interconnectedness.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Enhances Personal Growth</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Maha Shivaratri promotes personal growth by fostering mindfulness through yoga and meditation. The festival also encourages creative expression through creating Shiva-centric artworks, which contributes to emotional well-being. The custom of cooking and distributing Prasad further instills the values of generosity and service.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Maha Shivaratri is often associated with the marriage of Shiva and Parvati</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many devotees and stories associate Maha Shivaratri with the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, marking it as a celebration of their eternal love and divine union.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>"Shivaratri" in Sanskrit signifies "The Great Night of Shiva"</h3><p class='facts-content'>Derived from the Sanskrit words, "Shiva" (the deity), "ratri" (night), Maha Shivaratri literally translates to "The Great Night of Shiva."</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Maha Shivaratri involves the ritualistic worship of Lingam</h3><p class='facts-content'>During Maha Shivaratri, devotees perform ceremonial baths of the Shiva Lingam (symbol of Lord Shiva), using sacred substances like milk, yogurt, honey, and rose water, symbolizing purification and appeasement of the deity. </p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Maha Shivaratri celebrations can last up to 10 days in some regions</h3><p class='facts-content'>Although typically celebrated in a single night, in certain parts of India such as Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, the festival expands to a grand fair, stretching over ten days merging local cultural festivities and the religious celebration of Shiva.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Maha Shivaratri is one of the few Hindu festivals celebrated during the night</h3><p class='facts-content'>In contrast to most Hindu festivals which are celebrated during the day, Maha Shivaratri is unique as it is commemorated during the night, representing the overcoming of darkness and ignorance.</p></div></div>
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