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‘Sivarathri’-the spiritual night of Lord Shiva

March 5th, 2008

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Mahasivarathri (”great night of Lord Shiva”) is celebrated on March 6th this year; it always falls on the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight. Mahasivarathri is considered the most important day for the devotees of Lord Shiva, and there are special celebrations at Sivan temples throughout the island.

The festival known as Sivarathri means “the spiritual night of Lord Shiva”-Lord Shiva, who actually has 1,008 names, being the God of Destruction of evil and ignorance. So Sivarathri spiritually symbolizes the regeneration of the human soul through the unity with divine. The festival is celebrated during the Tamil month of Maasi (February) which falls from February 13th to March 13th.

Lord Shiva is one of the most feared and heavily worshiped deities because of his destructive power. And he is the greatest dancer.

It’s said that Lord Shiva, whose vehicle is a bull, lives on Mount Kailash with his wife Goddess Parvathi. Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdise mountains which is part of the Himalayas in Xizang (Tibet), China, the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia and considered as a sacred place in four religions-Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon faith. Amazingly, there have been no recorded attempts to climb Mount Kailash; it is considered off-limits in deference to Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.

On Mahasivarathri devotees observe a day-long strict fast, throng temples and keep a night-long vigil. There are four main poojas held from dusk till dawn. The first begins at 6pm on the Sivarathri day before Mahasivarathri, the last on the following day, the day of Mahasivarathri. The Lingam or Sivalingam is worshipped throughout the day; the image is washed with milk, honey, curd, rose water, saffron and sandalwood every three hours.

The Lingam, meaning “mark” or “sign” is a symbol for the worship of Lord Shiva. While its origins are debated, the use of the lingam is an ancient tradition in India extends back to the early Indus Valley civilization. It is the most prevalent icon of Shiva, found in virtually all Shiva temples. It is a rounded, elliptical image, somewhat phallic, usually set on a circular base. Lingas are usually of stone (either carved or naturally existing, such as shaped by a swift-flowing river), but may also be of metal, precious gems, crystal, wood, earth or transitory materials such as ice.

There are a number of mythological tales and legends related to Mahasivarathri. The most famous is that Brahma the creator and Vishnu the protector fought regarding each other’s prowess. Lord Shiva appeared before them as a pillar of fire-Amal Agni-and challenged them to find his ‘head’ and ‘feet’. Brahma took the form of swan while Vishnu became a boar in trying to find the beginning and ending points of the fire. But both of them failed. Ketaki Flower-Thazham Poo - gave false evidence that Brahma found Lord Shiva’s head. Lord Shiva became angry and cursed the flower to be the abode of a cobra. The flower realised its fault and apologized. Lord Shiva pardoned the flower and allowed it to be used for worship only on Mahasivarathri day. Lord Shiva abandoned the fire and declared himself the most powerful.

Generally it’s believed that whoever chants the name of Lord Shiva with pure devotion is freed from all sins. It’s also believed that the devotees who fasts and worships Lord Shiva on this day will attain heavenly bliss. In addition, Mahasivarathri is considered especially auspicious for women. Unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Lord Shiva, while married women pray for the wellbeing of their husbands and sons. Cultural programmes add colour to the day at the temples. Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva are sung throughout the night by devotees with great fervour and devotion.

Devotees travel to Thiruketheeswaram in Mannar-one of the five Eashwaram (Sivan temples) in the island-to observe Mahasivarathri. It’s believed the four famous saints, namely Thirugnanasambanthar, Thirunaavukkarasar, Suntharamoorthy Naayanaar and Appar Swamigal, sang devotional songs there praising Lord Shiva.

Thirukoneswaram in Trincomalee, Naguleswaram in Jaffna, Munneswaram in Chilaw, and Thaanthondreeswaram in Batticaloa are the other four Sivan temples in Sri Lanka.

Following pictures are from ‘Sivarathri’ festivities at Munneswaram:

Decorated Sivalingam in the Moolasthanam

Milk is offered to the another Lingam which is behind the Moolasthanam of Munneswaram Sivan Temple

Dance performance at the Munnesawarm temple on Sivarathri night

Four main poojas are held from dusk to dawn

Idols of Sivan and Amman are carried by men at dawn on the following day of Sivarathri at
Munneswaram
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A slide presentation of ‘Thirukoneswaram’, with ‘Thiruvasagam’ rendered by ‘Isai Gnani Ilaiayaraja’:

Thiruvasagam-”sacred utterance”-is a set of hymns composed by Sage Manikkavasagar, in praise of Lord Shiva.
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Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com

Entry Filed under: Heritage