Mahashivratri 2021 – Mahayog this year, inauspicious things to avoid!

India is blessed with a wealthy cultural heritage and this lends one many possibilities to have fun and take part in quite many festivities and celebrations all-round the year. The Hindu festival, Shivratri is celebrated every year. The month of February or March, which marks the onset of spring is related to piety as it is committed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

This auspicious festivity marks the marital union of Lord Shiva and Parvati. One of the most auspicious matters to do on the event of Shivaratri is to observe a fast and worship Shivapurana, the Holy Scripture that chiefly centres on Lord Shiva and Parvati.

As on this day, it is believed that Lord Shiva re-married Parvati (incarnation of his first spouse Sati), and the occasion is celebrated as Mahashivaratri.

On the morning of Shivaratri, Shiva devotees provide auspicious submissions, like, milk, curd, white flowers, bilva leaves, and bhang to Lord Shiva and pink or red ‘chunari’ and ‘suhag samaan’ to Goddess Parvati.

It is an appreciably recounted reality that Lord Shiva believes in dwelling off an easy existence with naked necessities, and things that he most cherishes are Dhatura fruit, Bael leaves, bhang, ice-cold milk, sandalwood paste, and bhasma. Worshipping Lord Shiva with these now not solely appeases him, however, impresses all the gods as well.

While everyone would give you a list of auspicious things to do on Shivratri. However, as per Shivpuran, a religious devotee should in no way worship Lord Shiva’s symbol, Shivlinga with these 4 following choices or else endure the dreaded consequences.

Never Keep a Shivlinga at home
It is cautioned to never bring home a Shivlinga, as it requires a rigorous ritual of worshipping. Although, Lord Shiva fondly called Bholenath is impressed with mere chanting of his name and good deeds. However, his anger too is well-renowned. Many times, people often bring a Shivalinga home but forget to adhere to rituals. But if you intend to bring one home on this auspicious occasion, make sure you bathe the Linga religiously, every day with Gangajal, and never forget to read Shiv Chalisa. You may always keep a picture of Lord Shiva. It is advised that you keep the complete family picture of Lord Shiva with his wife Parvati and their two children, Karthik and Ganesha.

Never Worship with Ketaki flowers
Once Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu ensued in a battle to establish who was born first. Lord Shiva, then appeared in his true form of Linga. He asked them to find the start and the beginning of the linga. Lord Vishnu return and accepted his defeat, while Lord Brahma was too proud and went to lie in front of Lord Shiva. He even asked the ‘Ketaki flower’ that was adorned by him to support his lie. Lord Shiva, however, knew the truth and was angry that Lord Brahma and Ketaki lied. So, he cut off one of Lord Brahma’s head and diminished him from ever being worshipped as a Lord. He then turned to the Ketaki flower and cursed it to never be used in worshipping his symbol, Shivlinga.

Never Offer Haldi
The Shivlinga, by no means, should ever be worshipped the sacred Turmeric powder. As it’s viewed to decorate the splendor of females. And, Shivlinga is a symbol of Lord Shiva.

Never Place Tulsi Leaves
The legend says that once Lord Vishnu tricked Tulsi into believing him as her husband, Jalandhar, who was an Asura. Jalandhar was given a boon to remain immortal with a condition that his immortality is determined by his wife’s chastity. Upon receiving this boon, Jalandhar wreaked havoc and as a result, the lords decided to kill him. So, when Tulsi got to know about Lord Vishnu’s trick to break her chastity. She was upset and got angry. Things turned for the worse when she was informed of her husband’s death. Feeling betrayed by Lord Shiva, her deity, and Lord Vishnu, she cursed them both. She then turned herself into a plant which shall be worshipped till eternity but her sacred leaves must never be used in worshipping of Shivlinga.

By Shruti Srivastava: Life Within