Mahashivratri: A Night of Divine Illumination

Mahashivratri, meaning the Great Night of Shiv, is one of the most significant festivals in Hinduism. It is dedicated to Shiv, the Supreme Soul, and celebrated annually on the 14th day of the waning moon in the Phalguna month (between February and March). The festival focuses on Shiv. He is revered for his wisdom, power and ability to eliminate ignorance, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
At the core of Mahashivratri’s celebration is the aradhana of Shiv. In Hindu teachings, ignorance is considered the root cause of suffering. Suffering manifests when individuals become attached to worldly desires, attachments, and validations. The festival also highlights Shiva’s ability to conquer lust, not just in the sexual sense, but as a metaphor for all worldly attachments and cravings. In the Gita, these desires are described as an insatiable fire that leads to suffering. Individuals can achieve self-realisation and deepen their spiritual connection by overcoming these desires.
A key mythological story associated with Mahashivratri is the tale of Shiv’s destruction of Kamadev, the god of love and desire. Kamadev tried to disturb Shiv’s meditation by shooting love arrows, but Shiv, in his anger, opened his third eye and burned Kamadev to ashes. This act symbolises the destruction of desire and attachment. Shiv’s third eye represents a higher spiritual vision that allows him to see beyond the material world, revealing deeper truths and wisdom. For devotees, this myth signifies the goal of Mahashivratri: to awaken their inner light and gain higher knowledge.
On Mahashivratri, devotees engage in spiritual practices such as fasting, chanting mantras, and staying awake throughout the night. These rituals help individuals transcend material distractions and focus on the divine. Fasting and remaining awake symbolise vigilance and spiritual discipline while chanting the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and reciting hymns like the Shiv Chalisa to purify the mind and body. These practices are meant to deepen the connection with Shiv and guide devotees towards spiritual enlightenment.
Mahashivratri also commemorates the divine marriage of Shiv and Parvati, symbolising the union of masculine and feminine energies, which maintain the balance of the universe. Additionally, it honours Shiv’s cosmic dance, the tandava, representing the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. The dance also signifies the natural rhythm of the universe and reminds devotees of the importance of aligning with the flow of life. Shiv’s Trishul (Trident) represents various trinities: creation, preservation, and destruction; past, present, and future; body, mind and atman.
The festival also emphasises the renewal of righteousness. According to the Gita, when righteousness declines, the Supreme Being manifests to restore balance. Shiv’s role as the destroyer of evil and protector of the righteous is central to this. Observing Mahashivratri encourages individuals to purify themselves, embrace virtues like honesty, charity, and forgiveness, and reaffirm their commitment to righteousness.
The worship of Shiva is often performed through the Shivlingam, a representation of Shiva’s formless nature. Temples like those in Somnath, Vishwanath, Mahakaleshwar, and Rameshwar are important pilgrimage sites, attracting millions of devotees. Mahashivratri is celebrated differently across India and the world.
Mahashivratri is a night of inner transformation. By fasting, devotion, and meditation, devotees purify their minds, bodies, and souls, creating space for divine light. This sacred night is an annual reminder that Shiv’s wisdom illuminates the path to spiritual awakening, guiding individuals from ignorance to divine knowledge.
Authored by: Kamlesh Tripathi