Do you know the difference between Shivaratri and Mahashivratri? Your spiritual awakening is associated with this great festival!

 

Shivaratri Vs Mahashivratri: Both Shivaratri and Mahashivratri are festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva, and for this reason, many people do not know the difference between the two. While these festivals may seem similar, there is a significant difference between them. The reasons for celebrating both are quite different. Let's understand what this difference is.

Mahashivratri is approaching on March 8, 2024, and therefore, devotees of Lord Shiva are extremely excited. There are three deities connected with people for religious as well as spiritual reasons. Therefore, people from all walks of life worship them for different purposes. Many rituals and practices related to Lord Shiva are also associated with energy and spiritual reasons. Although Mahashivratri is a major festival, many people associate it with Shivaratri. This confusion arises because they do not know the difference between them. So, let's understand what the difference between them is...

When is Shivaratri celebrated?

Shivaratri is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) of every month, and since it occurs every month and is celebrated, it is also called monthly Shivaratri. This means there are 12 monthly Shivaratri in a year. The significance of Shivaratri celebrated every month is different. However, the Shivaratri falling in the month of Sawan (July–August) holds the most significance among all Shivaratri.

When does Mahashivratri occur?

The Shivaratri occurring in the month of Phalguna (February–March) is called Mahashivratri. According to the Shiv Purana, Lord Shiva manifested on this day, meaning he appeared in a tangible form from his formless state. The Shiv Purana states, "Yatpunah stambharupena swaaviraasamaham pura. Sa kaalo maargsheershe tu syaadarikshamarbhakou," which means 'Earlier, when I appeared in the luminous form, it was in the month of Maargsheersha, under the Ardra Nakshatra. Therefore, the person who worships my idol or linga in the month of Maargsheersha is dearer to me than Kartikeya.' The Shiva Linga represents the formless nature of God.

Why is Mahashivratri different from Shivaratri and why is it celebrated as a major festival?

The fundamental difference between Shivaratri and Mahashivratri is that only the worship of Lord Shiva is possible on monthly Shivaratri, while on Mahashivratri, the worship of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is prescribed. The main reason for this is that this night is considered the union of Purusha (male) and Prakriti (female), meaning the night of union between Shiva and Parvati. According to mythological tales and Puranas, on Mahashivratri, Shiva, meaning the male, united with Prakriti, meaning Parvati, i.e., they got married. Therefore, the worship of both is prescribed on this day.

Although worshiping Lord Shiva on any day signifies devotion to him, during Mahashivratri, people particularly awaken their fire element in the mind because on this day, Mahadev appeared for the first time in the form of the Shiva Linga. According to the Eeshan Samhita, on the fourteenth day of the Krishna Paksha of the month of Phalguna, Mahadev appeared in the form of the Shiva Linga and established himself in the form of the linga with the radiance more powerful than millions of suns. According to the Puranic belief, during the beginning of creation, there was a dispute between Brahma and Lord Vishnu regarding supremacy, and amidst their dispute, a huge fiery pillar appeared, which was more radiant than millions of suns. Brahma and Vishnu tried hard to find the source of the fiery pillar but failed. Then, Lord Shiva appeared from the Shiva Linga. The day Lord Shiva appeared is celebrated as Mahashivratri.