MAHA SHIVA RATHRI

                              AUM SRI SAI RAM AUM SRI SAI RAM

                                        We are celebrating Maha Sivarathri this year on 12 th Feb2010 , Friday .
Siva Rathri is usually celebrated on the 13 th or 14 th night of New Moon during Krishna Paksha of Hindu Calender Phalgun.It really falls during the month of February/March in English Calender.SivaRathri is celebrated on a moonless night.As per Hindu Mythology Sivarathri or Lord Siva's Great Night symbolises the wedding day of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy.It is also believed that on this night the Thandva Nrithya ,the great dance of creation, preservation and destruction takes place.On this auspicious day , the devotees observe fast ,keep vigil througout the night and offer fruits, flowers especially Bel leaves on Siva Linga .
                                      As Sivaratri festival mainly takes place at night, the devotees throng Siva temples and spend the night of Siva chanting rituals and hymns in praise of Lord.This day is important for ladies also.They pray to Goddess Paravathy, the Giver of 'Sowbhagiya', the giver of good husbands, martial bliss and long prosperous marial life.Devotees observe fast on this day and  worship of Lord Siva continues throughout the night  with intense chanting of hymnns in praise of the Lord 'OM NAMA SHIVAYA', the manthra that is said to free people from all sins and ills. Devotees strongly believe that the ritual worship of Lord Siva on this auspicious day absolves them from all the past sins and they will get salvation or liberation. They break the fast the next morning by taking prasad offered to the Lord. Sivarathri is celebrated on the no moon night or the dark night which represents the advent of Kaliyuga or the spiriual ignorance. Lord Shiva appeared  before Kaliyuga to get rid of the world from the evils and ignorance. Hence Maha Shivarathri  is very very important as the spiritual aspirants are concerned.During this occasion it is worthwhile to chant Siva Panchksare Manthra and Siva Gayathri Manthra

MAY SAI SHIVA LIGHT LAMP OF LOVE AND DEVOTION IN OUR HEARTS
MAY SAI SHIVA BRING THE LIGHT OF HARMONY IN OUR HOMES