Mahashivratri: All you want to know about one of the biggest religious festivals in India

Hyderabad: This year Mahashivratri falls on February 26. Every year, Mahashivratri takes place in the month of Falgun in the Hindu Lunar Calendar. It is said to be one of the most auspicious nights. Most Hindus observe a fast on this day. Devotees also perform a special puja called ‘Rudrabhishek,’ so that their wishes may be granted.

Shiva’s Blessings

According to ancient holy Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva’s blessings are in the form of Yoga, Meditation, Tantra, Aghora, Dance, Music, Martial Arts, and many more.

Legends

Many believe that it was on this night, that Lord Shiva or Mahadev performed the ‘Tandav’ dance which signifies the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution of existence.

According to Hindu mythology, Mahashivratri marks the day when Shiva drank the deadly poison ‘halahala’ during ‘Samudra Manthan’ or churning of the ocean. The most popular legend of Mahashivratri is that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this day.

Fasting Rules

Shiva disciples or devotees observe the Mahashivratrivrat or fast with great dedication and only consume light religious food, which is essentially ‘satvik’ in nature. According to Ayurveda, satvik foods are vegetarian, made without onion, garlic, or spices, and easy to digest. These are healthier, more nutritious, and are meant to elevate energy, happiness, and calmness in humans.

Cereals, lentils, and grains are avoided, onion and garlic are not included and rock salt or sendhanamak is used instead of regular salt. The rules of fasting may differ from person to person. People either fast completely or cook dishes from Mahashivratrivrat recipes and have just one meal in a day.

Devotion

The air is filled with devotion, love, raw energy, and chants. People pray and meditate all day, and night and surrender themselves to the divine. People wear either white or saffron-colored clothes on this day when doing the Puja. Many also visit Shiva temples and offer water, milk, and bilva leaves to the Shivling. And also take part in the Rudrabhishek ritual, where Lord Shiva is worshipped with Panchamrit, which is a mix of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.

Staying Awake

There are also group chant sessions where people sit together and chant. Many devotees also observe a full day of fasting, usually Nirjalavrat, and do so with great devotion and love for Lord Shiva. They only break this fast in the early morning hours. Before that, they stay awake the whole night and chant mantras, sing bhajans, and meditate. It is said that staying awake and immersed in devotion to Shiva on this night helps people receive his divine energy and blessings.

Abhishek

Performing Abhishek is one of the most important parts of Mahashivratri, and different offerings that are given to Lord Shiva have different meanings and importance. The milk offered to the Shivling is to bring blessings for a peaceful life. The honey is to attract prosperity and sweetness in life and relationships. The curd when offered to Lord Shiva provides a cooling effect and gives good health, and the Bilvaleaves, or Bel Patra, are believed to be Lord Shiva’s favorite. Some people also offer sugarcane juice, Ganga Jal, and Chandan to Lord Shiva.

Kinds of Fasting

Fasting on Mahashivratri is optional and pregnant women, children, sick people, and the elderly generally do not fast. There are several who opt for thenirjalavrat, where people consume no water or food throughout the day. However, very few can withstand this form of fasting, and the majority of the devotees observe a fast where they can have fruits, milk, and certain vegetables.

Potatoes

Potatoes can be eaten and Aloo Kadhi, Aloo Tikki, and Aloo Khichdi are some of the potato dishes made but without adding onion, garlic, ginger, or turmeric. One is allowed to add rock salt. Aloo pakoda, aloo chaat, and even aloo ka halwa are some of the popular dishes made on this day.

Tapioca and Buckwheat Dishes

Noncereal dishes made of tapioca pearls or sabudana, buckwheat, or ragi are permitted during fasting.

Milk-Based Drinks and Fruit juices

Lord Shiva was said to be very fond of milk. Each year Shiva devotees offer milk in the Shiva Temples. Milk is also consumed widely during the fast. Almond milk is a popular drink.

Fruit juices such as pomegranate, melon, and musk melon drinks serve to hydrate those who are fasting.

Pakodas and Vadas

Hugely popular are pakodas, vadas, and fritters. Spices one may use are cumin or cumin powder, black pepper powder, green cardamom, cinnamon, black peppercorn, and a dash of rock salt.

Fruits and dry fruits

Those who do not observe the nirjalavrat can eat a meal containing fruits, milk, and water, called Phallar. Fruit, fruit salads, and fruit milkshakes are very popular. Dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, dates, cashews, raisins, and dried apricots can also be eaten.

Popular Dishes

Some of the most popular dishes prepared on Mahashivratri are:

Delhi-style fruit chaat

This is spiced, savory, sweet, and tangy. Fruit chaat is made of a mix of fresh seasonal fruits and tubers like potatoes and sweet potatoes tossed with chaat masala, cumin powder, chili powder, and black salt.

Sabudanatikki

Also known as sabudana cutlets, these are made with tapioca pearls, mashed potatoes, and spices.

Kaddu ki Sabji

This is made with yellow pumpkin, spices, and herbs. This is a North Indian-style satvik recipe made without onions and garlic.

Aloo Tamatar Ki Sabji

This lightly spiced gravy dish featuring potatoes, tomatoes, a few spices, and herbs is a satvik recipe made without onion and garlic.

Sabudana Kheer

This sweet, creamy pudding is made with tapioca pearls or sago pearls called sabudana, along with milk, sugar, nuts, and saffron.

Makhane ki kheer

Made from foxnuts, this is a sweet dessert made with Makhana, milk, ghee, sugar, and dry fruits. This is an easy and popular sweet dish.

Dry Fruit Laddu

These are made without any added sugar or fats like ghee or oil. Packed with nutrients, good fats, and fiber, these energy balls are made with dates, figs, and various nuts.

Sweet Potato Halwa

It is also called Shakarkandi ka Halwa and is a delicious sweet made with boiled and mashed sweet potatoes and scented with cardamom, and saffron.