www.chakranews.com - Millions of Hindus celebrated the festival of Maha Shivaratri (Sivarathri) around the world on March 2nd and 3rd, 2011. The biggest celebrations occurred in India and Nepal. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world, devotees, followers, yogis, and sadhus came to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal just to pay their homage to lord Shiva where lines were seen from a day before. The religious ceremonies mainly occur during night. Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated yearly on the 13th and 14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha or Phalguna in the Hindu calendar. However, Maha Shivaratri was not all fun and joy everywhere. 
For example, in Pakistan, Hindu human rights group has demanded immediate removal of the district coordination officer (DCO) of Chakwal in Pakistan’s Punjab province, after he allegedly refused to provide security for the Maha Shivaratri festival on March 2-4, 2011. Sivarathri is a celebration observed in honor of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was married to Parvati on this day. This is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra ‘om namah shiva’ as it is said he who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples.
Maha Shivaratri means “The Night of Shiva”. According to beliefs, it is said that devotees who chant the name of lord Shiva on this day would be freed from all sins. Most of the devotees were seen fasting all day where they visited the near Shiva temple to break their fast. It is also believed that this is the night when Lord Shiva performed his Tandava Nritya that is the source of creation, preservation and dissolution. Though, both men and women celebrate Shivaratri, it is an especially auspicious day for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?
Shivaratri is celebrated sometime during February-March. It is believed that Parvati, the wife of Shiva, prayed, meditated and fasted on this day for the well being of Shiva and hoped to ward off any evils that may fall upon him. ... On Shivaratri, devotees awake at sunrise and bathe in holy water (like the Ganges River) and wear new clothes. On the day of the festival, people will fast and spend the day focused on Shiva, meditating and chanting “Om Namaha Shivaya.” ... Shivaratri is a festival that is held in the typical pattern of preparation, purification, realization, and then celebration. People flock to the temples carrying holy water to bathe and worship the Shivalingam. This bathing of the Shivalingam symbolizes the cleansing of one’s soul. Then at the stroke of midnight Shiva is said to manifest as the inner light of purified consciousness. It is customary to spend the entire night awake singing the praises of Lord Shiva.
Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Hindu Festivals”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com - http://www.stephenknapp.info/
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/hindu_festivals.htm
“Hindu Festivals”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com - http://www.stephenknapp.info/
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/hindu_festivals.htm
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