Lord shiva |
Significance of Shivaratri in Hinduism
The Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva during on the Shivratri festival which 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 to date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion. They observe the day and night fast and give a 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.