Maha Shivarathri

Mahashivratri, which means “The Great Night of Shiva” is the most significant event in India’s spiritual calendar. Mahashivratri is the day to recognize the Shiva Tattva and go deep within. This year Maha Shivarathri falls on 24th February, Friday.

In our tradition, Shiva is seen in many forms as the enigmatic, non-perceivable Ishwara; the auspicious Shambho; disarmingly naïve Bhola; Dakshinamurthy, the great master and teacher of the Vedas, Shastras and Tantras; the easily forgiving Ashuthosh; Bhairava, the one tainted with the very blood of the creator; Achaleshwara, the absolute stillness; the most dynamic of dancers, Nataraja – as many aspects as there are to life, that many aspects have been offered to him.In the yogic tradition, Shiva is not worshiped as a God. He is the Adiyogi, the first Yogi, and Adi Guru, the First Guru from whom the yogic sciences originated. The word “Shiva” literally means “that which is not.” That which is, is creation. That which is not, is Shiva.

Shivaratri Celebrations in India are marked with devotion and religious fervor. Joy is written large on the faces of millions of Lord Shiva devotees as they start preparing for the biggest Lord Shiva festival in advance. Celebrations of Shivaratri begin with the break of the dawn on the Shivratri day and continue all though the night. Devotees observe fast and spend the day in devotion and worship of Lord Shiva.Devotees also participate in the jaagran or the night vigil organized in various Shiva temples across the country. Devotees believe that sincere observance of Shivaratri puja and all night worship of Lord Shiva will absolve them of all their sins and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death. 

To offer pujas and abhishekams to Lord Shiva on the auspicious MahaShivarathri, please visit: http://www.devaayanam.in/List 

Significance of Mahashivarathri:

The fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon is known as Shivratri. Among all the twelve Shivratris that occur in a calendar year, Mahashivratri, the one that occurs in  the month of Kumbh or February-March is of the most spiritual significance. On this night, the northern hemisphere of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural upsurge of energy in a human being. This is a day when nature is pushing one towards one’s spiritual peak. It is to make use of this, that in this tradition, we established a certain festival which is nightlong. To allow this natural upsurge of energies to find their way,one of the fundamentals of this nightlong festival is to ensure that you remain awake with your spine vertical throughout the night.

Mahashivratri is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. It is also very significant for people who are in family situations, and also for the ambitious in the world. People who live in family situations observe Mahashivratri as Shiva’s wedding anniversary. Those with worldly ambitions see that day as the day Shiva conquered all his enemies.But, for the ascetics, it is the day he became one with Mount Kailash. He became like a mountain – absolutely still.That day on Mahashivratri, all movement in Him stopped and he became utterly still, so ascetics see Mahashivratri as the night of stillness.

Shivratri is to remind us that we are Shiva. That is why we say, "Shivoham, Shivoham", which means 'I am Shiva, I am that principle, I am the truth, eternity, beauty, and benevolence'. Shivratri is an occasion to remember this.

Legends related to Mahashivarathri:

The legend of marriage of Shiva and Shakti is one the most important legends related to the festival of Mahashivaratri. The story tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort.The night on which the divine union of Shiva and Shakthi is observed as the Maha Shivarathri.

According to another version of the legend, Goddess Parvati performed tapas and prayers on the auspicious moonless night of Shivaratri to ward off any evil that may befall her husband. Since then, womenfolk began the custom of praying for the well being of their husbands and sons on Shivaratri day. Unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

Observance:

Shivratri day is celebrated with Rudrabhishekam (singing of the ancient Vedic mantras, which is accompanied with a ceremony of washing the Shiva Linga with milk, curd, honey, rose water, and other auspicious offerings). 

The night on this day—when the constellations are in a particular position—is very auspicious for meditation. And so, it is very useful for people to keep awake and meditate on Shivratri.

Wishing everyone a blissful Maha Shivarathri!

Information Courtesy: http://isha.sadhguru.org/blog/

Know your Puja - Abheeshta Sidhi Puja at Sree Varahamoorthy Temple,Panniyoor, Palakkad

At Panniyur Sri Varaha Murthy Temple,one of the  most important puja offering to the Sri Varaha deity is the ‘Abheeshta Sidhdhi Puja’. 

This puja is  believed to pave way for ‘Abheeshta Karya Sidhdhi’or fulfilment of one's wishes.The Abheeshta sidhi puja has to be performed in the name of any dear or near ones whose  realisation of wishes we pray to come true, so it's not offered by devotee for himself/ herself. This puja is done on the chosen day at morning and evening. Devotees an collect the Payasa prasadam after the Puja or arrangement can be made to send it to their postal address, Devotees believe that when in peril, if one utters the words ‘Varahamurthy Rakshikane’ (save me, Varahamurthy) thrice, Shri Varahamurthy would rescue one from all impending perils and dangers.

This puja is already booked in advance till a long time into the future. Yet with due consideration to those who visit this temple or book online, 3 days in a week have been earmarked for  the conduct of this puja immediately or as soon as can be managed .

Know your Puja - Neerajanam

Neerajanam is one of the most important offering made to Lord Shani. Sachets of Thil (Sesame Seeds or Ellu) and raw rice (other than boiled) are dipped in sesame oil and kept inside a coconut. Coconut pieces are placed in a plate of raw rice. These sachets are then lit in front of Lord Ayyappa or Lord Sani preferably on Saturdays to ward off evil effects of Shani graha.

It is believed that Lord Ayyappa has his divine control over Lord Shani. According to Hindu astrology, Shani or Saturn is one among the planets. People who believe in astrology and horoscope always think about that the position of Shani on their horoscope which they believe can cause misery to their life.Devotees try to get rid of Shani Dosha by conducting Ayyappa Bhajans. By worshipping Lord Ayyappa it is believed that  Ashtama Shani, Kandaka Shani, 71/2 Shani and fear will all be removed from ones life. To get rid of the evils of Shani (Shani dosham) devotees offer Neerajanam to Ayyappa on Saturdays.

Team Devaayanam

Makara Sankranthi

Makara Sankranti marks the transition of the sun into the zodiacal sign of Makara (Capricorn) on its celestial path, which is the first change in the zodiac after the winter solstice and is the first day of the month of Magha or Makara.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a very important festival in India. Sankranti literally means “movement.” Everything that we recognize as life is movement.The significance of the Makar Sankranti festival is that it marks the day where there is a significant movement in the zodiac – the arrangement of the earth’s dial around the sun – and this movement brings about a new change in the way we experience the planet itself. There are many sankrantis through the year; the two significant ones being Makar Sankranti, and right opposite, after summer solstice is Karkataka Sankranti. In between, there are many Sankrantis – every time the zodiac sign changes, it is called a Sankranti to suggest the movement of the planet, to understand that our life is sustained and nourished by this movement. If this movement ceases, everything about us will cease. On the 22nd of December, the winter solstice happened, that means in relation to the sun, the movement or the tilt of the planet reaches its maximum. Now, from this day onwards, the northern movement is strong. Things really start changing upon the earth.The Sun’s run in relation to planet Earth will shift from the southern run to the northern run – from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana.

What is happening in terms of celestial arrangement is that on the winter solstice on December 21, the sun was over the Tropic of Capricorn. From that day, if you watch the sunrise and the movement of the sun, slowly, every day it will shift to the north.

Capricorn is a sign of Saturn. On the day of Makar Sankranti, sun enters into the sign of Saturn.Sun God is considered the father of Saturn.Saturn and Sun,whose auspicious blessings can make humans achieve great success, are worshipped on this day.

Grace of uttarayana:

People who have been spiritually aware have always identified this transition as a possibility for human consciousness to blossom. Particularly, the first half of Uttarayan until the equinox in March is a period where the maximum amount of grace is available. The human system is more receptive to grace at that time than any other. History clearly indicates that the maximum number of people have attained in this phase of the sun in the Northern Hemisphere.

The religious scripture, “Gita” which is known as the voice of Lord Krishna, illustrates that six months of Uttarayan is the day time of deity.

And, the 6 months of Dakhshinayan is the night for Gods. It is believed that person who scarifies his body(dies) in Uttarayan get a position in ‘Krishna Lok’. That person gets liberation, whereas, the one who dies in Dakhshinayan, has to be reborn.

One of the most famous stories is of Bhishma waiting on his deathbed of arrows for many weeks. Though he was severely injured, he held onto his life until Uttarayan came because he wanted to make use of this transition in nature, to make his own transition possible. Gautama also attained on the third full moon day after Uttarayan. And in South India, there are examples of innumerable saints, sages, siddhas and yogis who have made the transition during this period.

The Harvest Festival:

The Makar Sankranti festival is also known and referred to as the harvest festival because this is the time when harvesting is complete and there are big celebrations.This is the day we acknowledge all those who assisted in making the harvest including The Sun and farm animals. Makara Sankranti is celebrated in many parts of South Asia with some regional variations. It is known by different names and celebrated with different customs in different parts of the region.In Tamil Nadu it is called Pongal. In Assam it is celebrated as Magh Bihu and Bhogal Bihu. In states of Punjab and Haryana it is celebrated as Lohri festival. In Uttar Pradesh it is celebrated as Khichdi or Donation festival. In Bihar it is known as Til Sankranti or Khichdi festival. In Kerala, the Makara Jyothi Dasrhan or Makara Vilakku at Lord Ayyappa Temple, Sabarimala attracts lakhs of devotees from all over India.

So Makar Sankranti is a festival to recognize the movement, movement being celebration, movement being life, movement being the process of life and the beginning and the end of life. Wishing you a radiant year ahead!