Importance of Mahashivratri Festival

[IndiaParenting]

What is the importance of fasting on the occasion of Mahashivratri? How to fast on the day of Mahashivratri? How is Mahashivratri celebrated across India?
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[Sripad Sawant]

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 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 establish a certain festival which is night-long. One of the fundamentals of this night-long festival is to ensure that – to allow this natural upsurge of energies to find their way – you remain with your spine vertical – you stay awake.

[Rahul Tendulkar]

Shivaratri Fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Every year devotees observe Maha Shivaratri fast with devotion and sincerity. Though many go on a diet of fruits and milk, some do not consume even a drop of water all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival.

[Tanay Gawas]

the people do fast as a devotion and honour and love for the lord shiva.the people do this fast on fruits and milk.there are many temples which organize jagrans for the people and many more functions.