Happy Maha Shivaratri

[Vinayaka]

Do you think that you'll end up going this year?

Maya

We have pujas at 6, (a long one) 12, 3 and 6. We'll go to the first one, then decide around 9, then maybe stay. Last year we stayed until about 1. Its all a spontaneous thing. My friends here, at least the traditionalists, if they do it at all, will stay up until 6 PM the next day too. But out temple does have a really nice vibration these days.

 

[Jainarayan]

This is what they do here. http://www.guruvayurappantemple.org/images/Mahasivaratri2013.jpg Needless to say I won't be attending. I can't tolerate the crowds nor the long hours, nor can I fast (I cannot even fast for Ekadashi anymore, it wreaks havoc on my system... I don't think God wants that). On Saturdays I light a lamp to Shanidev; I will also keep a lamp burning on Saturday for Lord Shiva also, and think of him. This is pretty much how I will honor the deities on their holidays, and perhaps with reading shlokas and stotrams during the day.

 

[Maya3]

This is what they do here. http://www.guruvayurappantemple.org/images/Mahasivaratri2013.jpg Needless to say I won't be attending. I can't tolerate the crowds nor the long hours, nor can I fast (I cannot even fast for Ekadashi anymore, it wreaks havoc on my system... I don't think God wants that). On Saturdays I light a lamp to Shanidev; I will also keep a lamp burning on Saturday for Lord Shiva also, and think of him. This is pretty much how I will honor the deities on their holidays, and perhaps with reading shlokas and stotrams during the day.

I don't fast either, and I would get too antsy staying at the temple all night. It is usually very crowded on holidays people don't even fit but has to stand in the back.
At the ashram there is a lot more space and you can move around. Go to the kitchen and have a snack go sit in a quiet temple for a while etc.

My husband just pointed out that it is Day Light Saving Time this Saturday so Shivaratri will be an hour shorter!

Maya

 

[Jainarayan]

My last Janmashtami at temple was my last Janmashtami. I and one of the ladies I became acquainted with were edged ever so insidiously out the door. There were people there, the numbers of which that were probably rivaled only by the grand opening of the temple.

 

[Gaura Priya]

I will probably be going to the ISKCON temple for Shivaratri. It's probably the only day that the Vaishnava temple celebrates a non-Vaishnava holy day, lol!

devâdidevam-ahibhûshanam indukâsham
panchânanam pashupatim varadam prasannam
gangâdharam pranatapâlakamâshutosham
vande sadâshiva-haripriya-chandramaulim

The Chief of the Gods, whose body is decorated by snakes, whose body shines like the moon, who has five heads, who carries his weapon known as Pashupat, who gives boons, who is of satisfied nature, who holds the Ganga on his head, who maintains those who give obeisance unto him, who is easily pleased - I offer my obeisances to Sada-shiva who is dear to Hari, and whose crown is the moon.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

Like every "celebration" every year it will be impossible for me to attend temple....Since there is no temple or hindu communauty around. So...Like every year it will be at home, alone. Sacred days where people go to temple and celebrate always have a bitter taste in my mouth, but I have no way to go and attend...Too far away. I kinda feel like a remote devotee lost in some far away place in his cave xD

But...It's not a bad thing at all. I have what is the most important, and I will follow vigil sunday night. Reading, meditating, mantra japa, abhisekam...I'll be with my dear Lord outside, and inside.
Being alone is a great advantage...In silence, in meditation, you forget the company of the self...And you can find easier the company of Siva deep within you. When I'll do this, there will be only bliss this night, for me this is worth every singing and every party !


Have a great MahaShivratri everyone !


Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Maya3]

Vanakkam,

Like every "celebration" every year it will be impossible for me to attend temple....Since there is no temple or hindu communauty around. So...Like every year it will be at home, alone. Sacred days where people go to temple and celebrate always have a bitter taste in my mouth, but I have no way to go and attend...Too far away. I kinda feel like a remote devotee lost in some far away place in his cave xD

But...It's not a bad thing at all. I have what is the most important, and I will follow vigil sunday night. Reading, meditating, mantra japa, abhisekam...I'll be with my dear Lord outside, and inside.
Being alone is a great advantage...In silence, in meditation, you forget the company of the self...And you can find easier the company of Siva deep within you. When I'll do this, there will be only bliss this night, for me this is worth every singing and every party !


Have a great MahaShivratri everyone !


Aum Namah Shivaya

I understand that it can feel lonely. But the most amazing worship can happen when you are all alone with no distractions.
I really look forward to be by myself in a quiet silent temple tonight. The crowd will be in another place at the ashram and I can sit in silence.


Have a wonderful Shivaratri I hope you'll have a peaceful one.

Maya

 

[Jainarayan]

I'm ready for my meagre little show of devotion to Mahādeva. I have a small table covered with a white cloth, a candle that will burn all night in front of this picture in a gilded 4x6" frame. I'd prefer an oil lamp but I don't have one large enough to burn all night. I'll light the candle at sunset (17:56 here), and put some fruit and water.

 

[atanu]

For those who like to read, I include the following link to 'Speaking Tree' a spiritual supplement to an Indian newspaper. The Sunday edition is dedicated to Shiva on the occassion of Shivaratri.

Enjoy.

Spiritual Articles - Religion and Spirituality Articles from Spiritual Gurus

 

[DeviChaaya]

The temple is not full - I think the devotees of Shiva have gone to the Murugan temple down the road - but those who are here sing and perform abhishekam. I have been given permission to stay the entire night and because it is within my power to do just that I will.

Earlier a man walked in dressed as Shiva - this hasn't happened before but I couldn't attend last Maha Shivratri due to ill health so maybe it happened then? - and he is sitting on a chair between the main shrine to Mata ji and Shiva's. Maybe someone here can shed some light on this?

On Shiva's side of the temple a priest is performing something with a family. He is walking the the husband through the ritual while devotees on the other side of the temple sing bhajans. I am seated on Shiva's side and sometimes, when the bhajans get extra feisty, I am struck by the urge to dance but I don't. Society has made me much too self concious!

I have also been handed four - FOUR - bags of prashadam. It'll last me forever! It is just a little over an hour until midnight and the big pooja (I think) and I can't wait. Many of the devotees will leave than but I will stay.

I owe it to myself and to Shiva to see this night through! I have even brought lots of music along with me to play when eveyone else has gone. Maybe then I will dance?

Expect more posts from me as the night proceeds.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

This year for Shivaratri I was assigned the parking lot. The temple is way back off the road. It is on a dirt road with lots of turns and drop offs. Very dangerous walk in a sari and high heals. So my job was to spend all night shuttling the few people who came to the temple late. So basically I was alone on a mountain road all night by my self. With just an occasional friend delivering hot food or chai. At first I was sad because of the assignment. Last year I was one of the main pujaris. I was missing all the fire worship and worship at the lingams. As the night went on. Hearing worship from a long distance. Standing alone for hours in the dark woods, turned into a very nice blessing. Shiva seems to like the woods.

 

[Maya3]

This year for Shivaratri I was assigned the parking lot. The temple is way back off the road. It is on a dirt road with lots of turns and drop offs. Very dangerous walk in a sari and high heals. So my job was to spend all night shuttling the few people who came to the temple late. So basically I was alone on a mountain road all night by my self. With just an occasional friend delivering hot food or chai. At first I was sad because of the assignment. Last year I was one of the main pujaris. I was missing all the fire worship and worship at the lingams. As the night went on. Hearing worship from a long distance. Standing alone for hours in the dark woods, turned into a very nice blessing. Shiva seems to like the woods.

Alone in the woods sounds amazing. Did you have somewhere to sit? I hope you were not too cold?

I didn't last long, I stayed up until about 1 AM. But that was fine. Then I made it to the morning temple ceremonies.

Maya

 

[Vinayaka]

This year for Shivaratri I was assigned the parking lot. The temple is way back off the road. It is on a dirt road with lots of turns and drop offs. Very dangerous walk in a sari and high heals. So my job was to spend all night shuttling the few people who came to the temple late. So basically I was alone on a mountain road all night by my self. With just an occasional friend delivering hot food or chai. At first I was sad because of the assignment. Last year I was one of the main pujaris. I was missing all the fire worship and worship at the lingams. As the night went on. Hearing worship from a long distance. Standing alone for hours in the dark woods, turned into a very nice blessing. Shiva seems to like the woods.

Nice. I think you're lucky. Those jobs are the best ones.

 

[Me Myself]

I just did the fast for 24 hours. From 20 00 h saturday to 20 00 sunday. i slept in between those days caude my sleep deprivation made it impossible to stay awake, though I couldnt sleep ts night.

I am so spoiled, I just cant sleep unless the room is at 16 but the air conditioneir is broken.

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

Saturday night here too, but Sunday night in Australia and Saturday night here are pretty close in real time. We're so far behing Australia.

Ozzie Ozzie Oi Oi Oi, and Proud...lol

Oh, i didnt even know it was Shivratri until i read this....

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Alone in the woods sounds amazing. Did you have somewhere to sit? I hope you were not too cold?

Maya

I am in California so it only dropped down to about 45. So it was not bad. I had my car. So at times I sat down in it.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Those jobs are the best ones.

I agree...

 

[Maya3]

I am in California so it only dropped down to about 45. So it was not bad. I had my car. So at times I sat down in it.

Good! Then you got a little rest and didn´t get frostbite

Maya

 

[Viraja]

Happy Maha Shivaratri to all who celebrate.

I bumped this thread up inviting suggestions to spend tonight all awake, for the Shivaratri. Any particular slokas are beneficial?

 

[Vinidra]

Happy Maha Shivaratri!