Out of the 12 Shivaratris that are observed in a year, Maha Shivratri is considered to be the most auspicious one. ‘Shiva- Ratri’ means the ‘Night of Lord Shiva'. The entire night of Shivaratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is regarded as the most powerful deity.

Why is Lord Shiva worshipped on this day?

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on the day when Lord Shiva saved the world by drinking poison that emerged from the ocean during ‘Samudra Manthan’. Some people believe it to be the day when Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati. As per the mythological beliefs, the one who worships Lord Shiva attains ‘Moksha’ or ‘salvation’. It is also believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri brings an end to all your miseries and grants you strength.

2022 Maha Shivratri Date

This year, Maha Shivratri will fall on Tuesday, 1st March. It is celebrated throughout India with great fervor.

Origin

Celebrated annually, Maha Shivratri is observed on the New Moon Day in the Hindu month of Maagha.

Mythological Significance

Lord Shiva is the Creator, Protector, and Destroyer of the universe.

• As per mythological beliefs, Maha Shivratri is the day when Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Lord Shiva was not in favor of getting married to Goddess Parvati initially. However, Goddess Parvati’s love and dedication for Lord Shiva changed the game. Fascinated by the love, affection, and dedication displayed by Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva agreed to marry her. This great event was cherished by the Gods, and even the evil spirits are believed to have attended the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
• Maha Shivratri is also regarded as the union of Shiva and Shakti. Lord Shiva, after losing his first wife ‘Sati’ resorted to deep meditation. It is believed that Sati took rebirth as Shakti and wanted to unite with Lord Shiva once again, however, lord Shiva was under deep meditation at that time. It is believed that Sati then worshipped Lord Shiva with a lot of dedication and devotion to win his heart. Later, they both were united in the form of ‘Shiva-Shakti’ or the ‘Ardhnareshwar’ (half male and half female) and this divine occasion of re-union is celebrated as Maha Shivratri.
• According to lore, Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the day when Lord Shiva saved the world by drinking poison that emerged from the ocean during ‘Samudra Manthan’. Lord Shiva swallowed the poison to save the world and it got stored in his neck, thus, making it blue which is why
  Lord Shiva is also known as ‘Neelkanth’.

Spiritual Significance and Rituals

As per spiritual beliefs, Maha Shivratri leads to spirituality.

• On Maha Shivratri, the Shiva devotees start offering prayers to Lord Shiva from early morning. ‘Shiva Abhishek’ is a way of offering respect to Shiva by pouring ‘Ganga Jal' (holy water of Ganga). Some people also use items like milk, ‘ghee’, honey, curd followed by ‘Dhatoora’, ‘bel-patra’ and ‘bhaang’; each of them has its own benefits.
• Generally, people wear new clothes while offering prayer to Lord Shiva as it is believed that the devotee should be in his purest form while offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
• It is believed that if you chant 'Om Namah Shivay’ with a pure heart, it calms your mind and frees you from all the negative energy.
• Writing mantras of Lord Shiva on a paper or ‘Bhoj-patra’ (paper made out of leaf) brings you grace and good luck.
• If unmarried women observe the fast and perform Shiv Puja with a true heart and honest desire, ‘Bholenath’ (Lord Shiva) grants their wishes and fulfills their dreams, and they can get a desired life-partner.
• Married women should worship Lord Shiva for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands, and a peaceful and harmonious married life.
• Shiva has great powers. Worshipping Shiva with a pure heart and clear intention would help you gain wealth, name, and fame.

Astrological Significance

• On 1st March, 4 planets are forming a conjunction in the sign of Aquarius. Astrologers believe that this is a rare planetary combination of the Sun, Moon, Venus, and Mercury, which is coincidently taking place on the day of Maha Shivratri. The 4 planets in 1 sign are all set to bring major changes in your life.
• As per astrological beliefs, this 4-planet conjunction will bless the natives with good communication skills and make them very expressive. The natives will open up and reveal themselves to others.
• This conjunction, taking place on Maha Shivratri, 2022, will make the natives of all signs socially active. The natives will most likely achieve name and fame when the above-mentioned planets will conjunct in the Aquarius sign. The results and effects of this conjunction may vary from person to person.
• The conjunction of Mercury and Venus is considered to be very auspicious for married as well as unmarried couples. The results of this particular combination will more or less depend on the sign or house where this planetary conjunction is taking place.
• Moon represents the mind and Sun is your identity. When Moon and Sun come together in one zodiac to the same degree, they bring about a feeling of contentment in a person. This particular conjunction will be observed on the day of Maha Shivratri, i.e., 1st March 2022. The natives will feel as if they are on the right path. The person in such a state forgets about the worldly material pleasures and parts ways with such thoughts. He focuses on the attainment of true happiness, which comes from the mind and soul and not from the body and material pleasures.
• Maha Shivratri is the night between Chaturdashi and Amavasya. On this day, Moon is considered to be in a weak position. As Moon governs the mind, people may find themselves in a perplexed state of mind. As a result, the decision-making process will become complex, and you may start having negative thoughts.

Effective Remedies

• To make up for this mental loss, mediation and spirituality should be practiced. This good remedy will help you overcome this loss.
• Chanting the Shiv mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaay’ with a pure heart and intention helps in getting rid of the negative effects of the waning Moon.

Conclusion

Lord Shiva is considered the most powerful and divine deity. He is the symbol of energy, power, and sacrifice. Maha Shivaratri is an auspicious day for the shiva devotees as it helps them get spiritually closer to their God.

In Astrological terms, this day has a great significance in the Hindu calendar. The Vedic mantras and effective remedies performed on Maha Shivratri brings good fortune and peace in life.