Join Us for Our 2023 Maha Shivaratri Celebration!
Feb. 18th 2023, beginning 6 PM US EST
and continuing until Sunrise the next morning.
Though we will continue prayers throughout the night, people are invited to attend the ceremonies for as long as they are able. Email info@somamatha.org for me details.
Maha Shivaratri is the main annual festival for Lord Shiva. It is considered the most auspicious day of the year for worshipping Maheshwara and meditating for spiritual realization. This day is traditionally celebrated by taking a vow to fast and remain awake all night worshipping the Lord. Traditionally, bilva leaves are offered to the Shivalingam, an aniconic image symbolic of the Formless Lord, along with abhishekam (ritual bathing). We are planning a grand abhishekam to honor Lord Shiva that night and are driving 200 miles to source special offerings like bilva leaves which are very dear to Lord Shiva.
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Fasting For ShivaratriSome people like to fast for Shivaratri. If your health does not permit or if you do not prefer to fast, it is not important. We at the center will be fasting here for Shivaratri on Sabudana Kitchari (a savory dish of tapioca pearl which is very light and easy to digest). In observance of Shivaratri many choose to fast all day and night either on water alone, fruits and milk, or a simple monofast like moong or sabudana kitchari, according to their health and ability. When we fast, it is an austerity, which is said to please Lord Shiva. It alters our blood sugar which alters our mental state. This makes it easier to enter into deep spiritual states of consciousness when we mediate, chant and pray. When we give up little comforts in the world, it allow us to access greater spiritual comfort which cannot be affected by the things of the world. This is the concept of yajna / sacrifice which is held as the highest spiritual ideal by the Vedic tradition.
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