Maha Shivaratri in Tamil Nadu

Maha Shivaratri festival, Tamil Nadu :

As the name suggests, this festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is a belief that if we sacrifice our sleep by being awake and meditating towards Lord Shiva on this night, it will be equal to spending 1000 years in penance towards Lord Shiva. Rituals, music, dance, and fun add colour to this night. Mostly, this fete is celebrated between February and March every year.

The specialty of the festival :

In Tamil Nadu, there is a custom that, during Maha Shivaratri, everyone should visit their native temple or family deity and spend the whole night there chanting the mantras of God. Especially those who read hymns and songs dedicated to Lord Shiva, such as Thiruchitrambala and the Shiva Purana. It is a common belief among the people that if they spend the Maha Shivarathiri singing the songs of Lord Shiva, they are purified from all their past sins and further blessed by God eternally.

On Maha Shivaratri, all Shiva temples are flocked with thousands of devotees. Pious devotees fast without food throughout the day and night. On this night, they perform rurdrabhishek, Anna abishek, Vibhuthi abishek, and more to the Shiva Lingam. Vilva leaves are also offered with much devotion by chanting the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" throughout the night.

Conclusion :

Maha Shivaratri represents the triumph of light over ignorance and evil in life. It promotes reflection, cleansing, and adoration for Lord Shiva, the vanquisher of evil and giver of benefits. Devotees who take part in its observances and ceremonies aim to achieve wisdom, inner serenity, and freedom from material attachments. Maha Shivaratri emphasizes the strength of faith and the victory of good over evil by serving as a reminder of the never-ending cycle of life, death, and rebirth.