On February 16, 2023, the State Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav stated that 21 lakh diyas (earthen lamps) will be lit on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain to commemorate and celebrate the religious festival Mahashivratri.
The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan will be the chief guest for this occasion.
The annual festival of Mahashivratri will be celebrated all across India on February 18, 2023. The meaning of the word Mahashivratri is the “great night of Bhagwan Shiva.” On this day, people chant “Har Har Mahadev”.In the Hindu Calendar, there is a Shivratri every lunisolar month.
The festival marks the end of the Winter Season and the arrival of the Spring Season in India. Out of the 12
Shivaratris celebrated every year, and Mahashivratri is the most auspicious. The festival is supposed to be the night of convergence of Shiva and Shakti
The festival’s essence means the male and female energies that keep the world in balance. Shiva and Shakti are revered as the embodiment of love, energy, power and oneness.
Bhagwan Shiva drank “Halahal” or deadly poison to protect the world from its inauspicious effects. As he held the poison in his throat, the throat turned blue, thus naming him “Neelkanth”.
Every state in India, including Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana celebrates Mahashivratri.
Devotees and followers of Shiva (Shaivas) undergo a 24-hour fast that is broken in the next morning. Fasting is mainly done by women, though men also follow that.
The Mahashivratri Puja and festivities in contrast to many other festivals is performed in night. Shaivas also devote the entire day in meditation.
The devotees of Bhagwan Shiva consume only “sattvic food” which includes ragi, sabudana, fruits and vegetables during the fast.
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