Lord Shiva - Shubh Maha Shivaratri
Millions of Hindus celebrated the festival of Maha Shivaratri (Sivarathri) around the world on March 2nd and 3rd, 2011. The biggest celebrations occurred in India and Nepal.
Maha Shivaratri means “The Night of Shiva”. The religious ceremonies mainly occur during night. This is a celebration observed in honor of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was married to Parvati on this day. This is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.
People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra ‘om namah shiva’ as it is said he who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples.
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated yearly on the 13th and 14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha or Phalguna in the Hindu calendar.
Maha Shivaratri was not all fun and joy everywhere. In Pakistan. Hindu human rights group has demanded immediate removal of the district coordination officer (DCO) of Chakwal in Pakistan’s Punjab province, after he allegedly refused to provide security for the Maha Shivaratri festival on March 2-4, 2011.
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