Maha Shiva Ratri

Mahashivratri: The Night of Shiva.

It's Story, Significance & Spiritual Meaning:

Har Har Mahadev!

This powerful chant means Mahadev resides in all of us. On Mahashivratri, this eternal truth is celebrated by millions across the world, as the cosmos itself feels the blessings of Shiva.

The Sacred Night: Legend of Mahashivratri

On the 14th night before the new moon of the Phalgun month, a transformative event occurred in the ancient lore of Hindu Dharma: Lord Shiva married the Daughter of the Mountain, Parvati. This night became known as Mahashivratri, the great night of Shiva.

This was the night when the ascetic, the great yogi who cared for none, embraced the life of a householder for the second time, showing that both renunciation and worldly responsibilities are valid paths for spiritual growth.

The celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvati brought together all beings of the universe. Devas, Asuras, Ganas, Yakshas, and Nagas, beings from all realms and walks of life, celebrated this cosmic union, for Shiva is not just a god of one domain or one class. He chose no sides. He is everyone’s Mahadev, the God of gods, the god of all. Equal to a human, animal, plant, or any living being.

Why Is Mahashivratri Unique?

Every deity has a special day: Janmashtami for Krishna, Ram Navami for Rama, and Ganesh Chaturthi for Ganesha. But Mahashivratri is different. Shiva has no beginning or end. He is Adi, the first, the source, the conqueror of time (Mahakal). Legends say his birth is unknown; he is not self-appointed nor created, but ever-present, God of the people, destroyer who also protects.

The Perfect Husband and the Adi Yugal

For generations, elders advise: if you wish for the perfect husband, pray for one like Shiva. Why? Because as a husband, none could surpass him. Shiva and Parvati are called the Adi Yugal, the first couple. They completed each other.

Shiva respected Parvati’s individuality, sometimes even praising her as greater than himself, though knowing the truth in his humble silence. She was his strength (Shakti) and he, her wisdom. Together, they journeyed through the joys and struggles of spiritual life, always as equals. It is said they were the first to marry following the rituals we know today, with Brahma himself as their priest.

How Mahashivratri is Celebrated

Mahashivratri is best observed with a fast, broken during the darkest hour of the night. This darkness itself is a symbol of Shiva, who evokes the mysteries of the unknown.

Legend tells that during this auspicious night, Shiva took the form of the Lingam in Adi Shakti's yoni. The Lingam represents the union and completeness of Purush (consciousness/Shiva) and Prakriti (energy/Shakti). Some traditions say the cosmic wedding took two days and nights; thus, devotees stay awake, singing or listening to Shiva Purana stories, and break their fast at dawn.

Worshipping Shiva is simple. He does not require elaborate rituals or costly offerings. Chanting his mantras can happen any time, anywhere. Dhatura and Akanda flowers, wild and readily found, are among his favourites. His garland is made of Rudraksha, a fruit that is poisonous and useless to humans, but gladly accepted by Shiva. Bel leaves, always offered in a sacred trio, represent Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva himself.

Ashes, snakes, and offerings humans might shun are accepted by him with grace: Shiva is Lord of the rejected and the wild. He loves simplicity, including a bowl of rice kheer or seasonal fruits, annam offered by Annapurna herself.

Shiva tells his devotees, “Call me in trouble, you do not need to praise me daily or flatter me with rituals. I am there for you.” Simple faith is his commandment.

Who is Mahadev?

Shiva is Adi, the beginning, and Anta, the end. He exists beyond time, beyond praise and ritual, beyond all duality. Known by countless names, Mahakal, Nageshwar, Somnath, Jateshwar, Shiva, Mahadev. He is formless, the embodiment of the infinite force.

Other Festivals Celebrating Shiva

Neel Sasthi: Commemorates the day Shiva drank the poison churned from the cosmic ocean to save all beings, turning his neck blue, becoming Neelkanth.

The Universal Lesson

Mahashivratri is a reminder that divine love, equality, and simplicity are the essence of spiritual life. Shiva belongs to all gods and demons, women and men, wild and tame, powerful and humble. He is the ultimate liberator, the destroyer and protector, the yogi and the householder.

Om Namah Shivaya!

Salutations to the auspicious one who resides in all.

Har Har Mahadev!

Let that great power, Shiva, awaken within us all.

Mewari Miniature painting of the Lord's Marriage

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Maharana Pratap: The Sun of Mewar

Many of you have read my fan fiction as well as historical representations of the life and times of Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. I provided small details of his life in many articles. But never have I ever made a separate historical post on him. It is very difficult to put together his life without the help of folklore because historical evidence is scarce. This one was requested, and hence here it goes. Needless to say, this one is very special. This is a blend of history and folklore. Leave your love. ❤️ Background and Birth: The year was 1540. Mewar was under a cloud of uncertainty. Banbir, their ruler for four years now, was a very incompetent ruler who always spent his time in luxury, drinking and dancing with girls. The crown prince Udai Singh was rumoured to have been killed by him. Chittorgarh was in darkness. Around March 1540, Mewar once again saw hope as some trusted generals, along with Kunwar Udai Singh, attacked Chittorgarh, taking Banbir by surprise. He was soon t...

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Sisodiya: Kings, Queens and Princes (1538 - 1597)

I am back with another History post, this time it is on the wives and sons of Rana Udai Singh II of Mewar, his son and heir Maharana Pratap and Rana Amar Singh. This is a continuation of the Sisodia Family History I posted some time back. The information has been taken from Annals of Mewar by James Todd, Maharana Pratap by B.N. Rana, and Maharana Pratap by Rima Hooja. Udai Singh II was the son of Ranisa Karnawati and Rana Sangram Singh. He was born on 4th August 1 522, at Chittorgarh and died on 28th February 1 572 at Gogunda . He was the Ruler of the Sisodia Dynasty. He is believed to have 56 sons and 2 5 wives, apart from the many insignificant queens in his Rani Mahal. Here is a list of his main queens and their sons. Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara of Jalore was his chief queen and consort. Her son is Maharana Pratap. He was married to her before he went to war with Banbir, as her father, Akshayraj Rao, was a friend and ally of his father, Rana Sanga. Saj...

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How Agni Became Auspicious

The great Rishi Saunak and his students had once gathered at the Naimisharanya at the beginning of the Kali Yuga to save themselves from the effects of this age. Here, Ugrasrava Sauti, the great Sage and son of Sage Lomharshana, came to meet them. He surprised them with stories of King Janamejaya's strange Swarpa Yagna and the strangest tales he heard from Maharshi Krishna Dwaipayana Vyas Dev there, at this strangest of events. The eager Rishis asked Sauti about the story of Bhrigu and Agni. Bhrigu was a powerful Rishi. His wife was Puloma, the Daughter of Daksha Prajapati and granddaughter of Brahma. One day, when his wife was pregnant, he left her in the darkness of the awaiting dawn to go for a dip in the holy Ganges far away. She was alone in the hut when a Rakshasa attacked her. Scared and alone, Puloma cried helplessly for aid. Her beauty had mesmerised the animals who wanted to marry her by force. The demon leader took her into the hut and shut the door. But inside the hut, ...

The Annals of Rajputana

Col. James Todd’s Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan describes Rajputana through History, Geography, Mythology, Folklore, Veer Gathas, Traditions, Cultures, Heritage, Rules, Valour and its people. However, one must remember that he was commissioned to write the narrative and his resources are not based on historical evidence. However, it is worth a read and very interesting. The following excerpts are from his book. Please take note that Todd's accounts are based on hearsay, stories, and commissioned by royals and hence aren't treated as historically accurate. However, his book is important as it is the first English-language book to have extensive work done on Rajputana. Rajputs are commonly believed to be people from Rajasthan; however, their branches have spread far and wide into Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and even parts of Bengal. The initial origination-based clans/tribes had been subdivided first in the book Prithvirajraso by Chand Bardai; howev...

Chittorgarh: The First Jauhar

The concept of Jauhar holds a profound place in Rajputana history. It is a ritual where Rajput women willingly choose death by jumping into a fire altar, invoking the gods, and embracing honour rather than living under the humiliation of enemy conquest. Unlike Sati, Jauhar was never forced or compulsory; it was considered the most honourable death a Rajputani could choose when their men lost battles and the enemy laid siege. The Historical Setting: Jauhar Gate and Chittorgarh Fort Chittorgarh Fort once housed the palace of Rana Ratan Singh near the famed Vijay Stambh and his Jal Mahal at the fort’s main gate. When Alauddin Khilji invaded Chittor, much of this was destroyed. However, later ruler Rana Kumbha rebuilt the Jal Mahal and re-established the Jauhar Sthal to honour Queen Padmavati (also known as Padmini). Ratan Singh, who ruled Mewar during Khilji’s reign as Sultan of Delhi, was known to be a peace-loving monarch who enjoyed music and poetry. One of his court poets, Ragha...

Epic Love

Shiva - Sati/Parvati: The Destroyer of the Trinity, the supreme God of Gods, was a loner, vagabond, refusing to settle down and be tied down by earthly relationships. Enters Sati, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha of Kankhal. At such a young age, her love moves everyone except her father. The reluctant Shiva had to answer her calls, and for the first time, somebody wanted to marry him as a boon. What followed was wrath between Shiva and Daksha, a clash of egos that ended the soft maiden Sati's life. She chose death after overhearing her father insult her husband. Shiva's sorrow turned to the angry tandav that destroyed the world. He roamed around as a vagabond again, this time with a broken heart! A few years passed by in her memory as he roamed the land of Aryavarta, making a Linga at every Sati Peeth beside her. In that way, this time, he will always be there by her side to protect her. Enters Parvati, the daughter of Parvat Raj. She was believed to be Sati reborn by everyo...

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Maharaja Krishna Chandra was an influential king in Nadia, Bengal, who formed his capital at Krishnanagar. During the preparation of the Battle of Plassey that sealed the deal for British Colonisation in Bengal in 1757, Krishna Chandra was under the Mughals of Delhi, who did not support Bengal Subah Nawab Siraj Ud Daulah in his attack against the British in Calcutta. As a result, he too was vocal against Siraj and supported the British. Siraj ordered for him to be imprisoned for not paying his due taxes to the Nawab, and he found freedom only after Robert Clive and Mir Jafar ousted Siraj by betraying him. Once Krishna Chandra was back in his state, the Mughal emperor, who was now reduced to a puppet of the British, by suggestion of Robert Clive, gifted the king a token of appreciation for his support, a cannon, which the Raja named the Garuda Cannon. What was so special about the cannon? This is the only cannon found in any museum with an inscription in Bengali scripture. Most cannons ...

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