Legends of Mahashivratri

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To mark the Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river
Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath
to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.
On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. Every three hours
priests perform ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar
and water amidst the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells. Nightlong vigil
or jaagran is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spend the night
singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning
that devotee break their fast by partaking prasad offered to the deity.
Shivaratri Rituals
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Getting Ready for Shivratri Puja
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Shivaratri Celebrations in Temples
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Since, bathing of Shiva Linga with milk is part of the Shivaratri Puja
tradition; little rivers are formed due to the excessively overflowing
milk and fruit in the Shiva temples on this day.
Ritual worship of Shiva Linga is done by temple priests every three
hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. Shouts of
‘Shivaji ki Jai’, chanting of the mantra, ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and
ringing of temple bells make the atmosphere religious and
devotional.
Nightlong vigil on Shivratri or the Jaagran is celebrated by singing of
devotional hymns and songs in worship of Lord Shiva. And, it is only
in the following morning that the devotees break their fast by
consuming prasad offered to the Lord.
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Shivaratri Fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva
Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion
and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Every year devotees observe Maha
Shivaratri fast with devotion and sincerity. Though many go on a diet of fruits and milk, some do
not consume even a drop of water all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival.
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Devotees of Lord Shiva believe consider Shivratri fast to be extremely auspicious and rate it equal
or more than performing an Ashwamedha Yagna. Some believe that a devotee who observes a
Shivaratri Fast with sincerity and utters the name of Lord Shiva with perfect devotion is absolved
from all sins. Such a devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shiva and lives there happily. He is also.
liberated from the cycle of birth and death
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