**** HAPPY MAHASHIVRATRI WISHES TO AFDB *********

[kaushik14]

[img]http://www.4to40.com/images/festivals/Maha_shivaratri/rudra_shiva_samadhi.jpg[/img][img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/Shiva.jpg[/img]

[size=14pt]Mahashivaratri Festival[/size]
Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva.

Legends of Mahashivratri
There are various interesting legends related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. Another popular Shivratri legend stated in Linga Purana states that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees and they celebrate it as Mahashivaratri - the grand night of Shiva.

Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri
Various traditions and customs related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water. Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband.

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.


[size=14pt]Significance of Shivratri[/size]
Festival of Mahashivaratri is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival has been accorded lot of significance in Hindu mythology. It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.

Significance of Shivaratri in Hinduism
Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most. This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when his consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.

Even till date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion. They observe day and nigh fast and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc. Hindus consider it extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri as it is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins. The devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shanker and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation.

Significance of Shivaratri for Women
Mahashivratri Festival is also considered to be an extremely significant festival by women. Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ - one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband.

[bharateyudu]

i also wish all the members a happy mahasivarathri.
OME NAMAH SIVAYA..

[victor]

same to you mama..how r u..fever taggindha????

[sombarey]

shambhoo shiva shambhoo shiva shambooo  dancegdb dancegdb dancegdb wish u all a happy shiva rathri...

[nastyguys]

hara hara mahadeva shambo sankara

[kaushik14]

[quote author=victor link=topic=40978.msg362695#msg362695 date=1265944452]
same to you mama..how r u..fever taggindha????
[/quote]

now i am okay mama.... thanks 4 ur concern.........  cheers12w

[Guest rakesh35791]

[quote author=Loverboy link=topic=40978.msg362790#msg362790 date=1265946408]
now i am okay mama.... thanks 4 ur concern.........  cheers12w
[/quote]
inka padukoledha?

[kaushik14]

[quote author=Lanci link=topic=40978.msg362796#msg362796 date=1265946489]
inka padukoledha?
[/quote] hello lanci... gm....  cheers12w

ledu mama... cold.... nidrapattatledu.........

[victor]

[quote author=Loverboy link=topic=40978.msg362790#msg362790 date=1265946408]
now i am okay mama.... thanks 4 ur concern.........  cheers12w
[/quote] cheers12w cheers12w

[snappy]

thanks n wish u the same
HARA HARA MAHADEVA SHAMBO SHANKARA

[mba]

chedukoo kotayya...

hara hara mahadeva sambho shankara..

[Guest rakesh35791]

[quote author=Loverboy link=topic=40978.msg362801#msg362801 date=1265946619]
hello lanci... gm....  cheers12w

ledu mama... cold.... nidrapattatledu.........
[/quote]
take care

[jamesbond]

HARA HARA MAHADEVA SHAMBHO SHIVASHANKARA....................


WISHES TO ALL............... BOND ............ JAMESBOND


Orey Labbe ga ela undi bhe...........

[kaushik14]

[quote author=jamesbond link=topic=40978.msg362866#msg362866 date=1265947500]
HARA HARA MAHADEVA SHAMBHO SHIVASHANKARA....................


WISHES TO ALL............... BOND ............ JAMESBOND


Orey Labbe ga ela undi bhe...........
[/quote]

fine baa... fever eithe control ipudu............ cold valla raka rakaluga ga undi na situation....

[BackbenchBoyy]

OM NAMAH SHIVAAYA....Happy Shivarathri to all..
lb ga...thagginda ra?