Thread by @VandanaJayrajan

#MahaShivratri is celebrated by the devotees of Lord Shiva, who is the God of meditation, austerity, and contemplation. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Parvati got married on this auspicious night of Maha Shivratri.🙏🌿

On the month's 13th night/14th day, but once a year in late winter (February/March, or phalgun) and before the arrival of Summer, marks Maha Shivaratri which means "the Great Night of Shiva". There's a Shivaratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar. 🌿

Devotees strongly believe that praying to Lord Shiva on this auspicious day washes away their sins and takes them closer to the path of salvation. On this day, devotees observe strict fast and worship Lord Shiva with Milk, honey, sandalwood paste, Bel Leaves, flowers, fruits. 🌿

It is followed by Meditation, chanting mantras and singing bhajans praising the Lord, throughout the night. This festival signifies an immense power of the universe emerged in Lord Shiva. There is an unknown and mysterious energy that is driving all of us.🌿

Scientists have not been able to give it a name, yet. However, saints of yore have called this unknown energy Shiva.
Shiva is the energy believed to make every living being alive. We are able to breathe, eat, walk and carry out our day-to-day activities because of Shiva.🌿

Not only does this energy drive living beings, but it also resides in non-living things - as their energy. Shiva, thus, drives existence. Om Namah Shivaya’ is the perfect mantra to chant on Mahashivratri, as it immediately elevates your energy.🌿

‘Om’, in the mantra, refers to the sound of the universe. It means peace and love. The letters, ‘Na’, ‘Ma’, ‘Shi’, ‘Va’, ‘Ya’ in ‘Namah Shivaya’ indicate the 5 elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether.
Chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ harmonizes the five elements of the universe. 🌿