The event, Shiv Puran Yagna, a part of Maha Shivrathri celebrations, is going to be organized by Pandit Jeetendra Persaud, at Sarswathi Devi Mandir, 1453 N Pine hills Rd, Orlando, Florida 32808.
The event is scheduled from 23rd February, Thursday to 26th February, 2017. The event is going to be accompanied by SDM Kirtan Group, with their bhajans and kirtans.
The devotees are requested to attend the event and get the blessings from Lord Shiva.
Below are the timings for Shiv Puran Yagna and pooja:
23rd February, Thursday, at 7:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m
24th February, Friday, at 6:00 p.m - 6:00 a.m
25th February, Saturday, at 7:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m
26th February, Sunday, at 9:00 a.m - Noon
To find more information about the event please contact (407) 222-0932.
Rituals For Maha Shivrathri
The devotees of Lord Shiva celebrate Maha Shivarathri Festival by following the prescribed rituals with sincerity and devotion. All through the day, devotees abstain from eating food and break their fast only on the next morning, after the nightlong worship of Lord Shiva. The ritual baths of Shivalinga in the numerous Shiva temples by Shiva devotees, mainly women, is the another significant feature of Shivrathri customs and traditions. The devotees of Lord Shiva strongly believe that worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri absolves them of past sins and they are blessed with Moksha.
Rituals to be performed on the Shivrathri morning:
As a tradition, devotees wake up early in the morning of Maha Shivrathri day and take the sunrise bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. They also offer prayers to the Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva as a part of purification rite observed on all the important Hindu festivals. After wearing the fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva Temple to give the customary bath to the Shivalinga.
On Shivratri day, Shiva temples are thronged by devotees, especially by women, who come to perform the traditional Shivaling pooja and seek the blessings from Lord Shiva. The devotees circumambulate the Shivaling, three or seven times, and then do abhishek in the Shivling with water. Some devotees do abhishek with milk. The sounds of bell and chants of ‘Shankarji ki Jai’ reverberate in the whole temple premises.
The instructions prescribed in the Shiva Purana are followed, every three hours, Shivalingam is given a special bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, sandalwood paste and rose water. Puja, meditation and chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ accompany the abhishek. Following the abhishek, vermilion paste is applied on the Shivlingam. Traditionally, the leaves of a forest tree Aegle marmelos (bilwa, maredu, wood apple) are used for Shiva puja. Thereafter, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga. Ber or jujube fruit is a special offering to the Lord Shiva on this day. Beetle leaves are also offered by some devotees. Some also offer bilwa leaves in the belief that the Goddess Lakshmi resides in them. Others believe that it is offered for its cooling effects on the hot-tempered deity. Many devotees also decorate the linga with flowers and garlands and light incense sticks and fruits. According to the Shiva Purana, there is a special significance of the six essential puja items used in the Shiva worship.
Significance of Puja items as per Shiv Purana:
Abhishek of Shivalinga with the water, milk and honey and wood apple or bel leaves added to it, represents purification of the soul.
The vermilion paste applied on the lingam after the ritual bath represents virtue.
Offering of fruits symbolizes the longevity and gratification of desires.
Burning of incense sticks yields the wealth.
The lighting of the lamp symbolizes attainment of knowledge.
Offering of betel leaves marks satisfaction with the worldly pleasures.
Rituals for Whole night worship
Worship of Lord Shiva continues all throughout the night on Shivarathri Festival. Devotees stay awake all the night and spend the night in Shiva temples in worship of Lord Shiva. Singing of hymns and verses in praise and devotion of Lord Shiva besides the intense chanting of Om Namah Shivay, the mantra that is said to free people from all their sins, continue through the night on Shivarathri.
Special worship of Shiva by the priests continues through the nightlong prayer vigil. During this worship, Lord Shiva is offered special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables and also coconuts. Those observing the Shivarathri Fast, break their fast the next morning by consuming the prasad offered to Shiva.
By Mrudula Duddempudi.
