LORD SHIVA

Shiva is the start, Shiva is the end

He is the end of every start

He is the start of every end.

He is the truth, he is the myth

He is the tiny particle, he is the unscalable width.

He is the universe, and the universe is within him.

He is the cosmic rhythm, he is the Natraj

He is Vairagyi, but has a beautiful family

He is the ultimate truth, he is the ultimate destination

He lives in Kailash, or he himself is Kailash

He is the phenomenon beyond any human imagination.

He is that which is not.

Importance of Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri is the most significant sacred festival of India. It is celebrated on the new moon day of the month of Maagh. Shiv temples accross the country are beautifully decorated and people offer night long prayer on Shivlingam.

There are a lot of legends associated with this festival.

Shiv-Parvati Marriage: According to ancient legend, Shiva and Adi-Shakti(Parvati) got married on this auspicious day. In many places, Shiv linga is decorated as a groom.

Consumed poison: Also, on this day Lord Shiva consumed poison to save world. And, for whole night every person was awake praying and waiting for the Lord to regain conciousness.

Became one with Kailash: In Yogic culture, Shiva is not considered as God but Adi Yogi (first guru). On this night Shiva became one with Kailash As still as mountain after thousands of years into meditation. So, ascetics see Mahashivratri as the night of stillness

Natural upsurge of energy: The planetary arrangement in the Northern Hemisphere is such that there is a natural upsurge of Energy in human body, rising from the Kundalini to your head. So, nature is pushing you towards the spiritual peak. So, to gain maximum out of it, you need to stay awake whole night with your spine erect.

Visited Places in duration of MahaShivratri 2018 to 2019

From Mahashivratri 2018 to 2019, I have visited three of Panch Kedar and one of Panch Kailash.

Kalpeshwar – 31st March 2018

Kalpeshwar temple is one of the Panch Kedar where Lord Shiva is worshipped in form of his matted hair. This lies in Chamoli district of Garhwal and is open throughout the year.

Kedarnath – 1st October 2018

Kedarnath is the first in Panch Kedar where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the hump of a bull. Temple lies in beautiful Kedar valley at height of 11700 ft. This remains open only for 6 months.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra – 25th May – 7th June 2018

Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva where he lives with his family and other Shiv gans. This was the toughest journey I have done so far. But the reward is just priceless. I have come only in the bodily form, but heart is somewhere lost in Kailash. This lies in an autonomous region of Tibet at height of 22000 ft.

Tungnath – 23rd December 2018

Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple of the world at 12073 ft. This is the third Kedar and Lord Shiva is worshipped in form of hand here. View around the temple is amazing and is open only for 6 months.

Happy Mahashivratri. May everybody get blessings from Shiva.

Om Namah Shivaay!

References: isha.sadhguru, speaking tree, https://bit.ly/2EvMOx6