" Shiva means the Auspicious One,
settled in Ananda, Bliss, Final Beatitude,
that lies beyond the trappings of a mind
caught in mundane desires and fears.
Worship and celebration of Him - the Divine
Personification of That Ananda, Bliss,
Final Beatitude is Mahashivaratri.
Happy Shivaratri to all my friends... "
"Maha-Sivaratri" is a Hindu festival observed on the night of the fourteenth day of the dark half in the month of 'Magha', in Tamil 'Maasi', corresponding to the English months 'February—March', in honour of Siva, one of the Hindu Trinity, representing the destructive aspect in the universe.Though generally, the night time is considered sacred and suitable for the worship of the feminine aspect of' the deity and the day time for that of' the masculine, yet on this particular occasion Siva is worshipped during the night time, and as a matter of fact, it is specially enjoined to be observed then. The observance of the Vratha is believed to secure for the devotee immunity from the eftects of sin committed either wittingly or unwittingly. The night is divided into four quarters, each quarter going by the name of a Jama called also Yama and pious people keep awake during every one of it , worshipping Iswara.
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