How To Prepare for Maha Shivaratri

Shiva by Octavio Ocampo (http://www.visionsfineart.com/ocampo/shiva.html)

How do you prepare for a grand yearly observance that is celebrated around the world with traditions that range from city firework displays, parades and cannabis-infused smoothies, to silent skyclad vigils deep within secluded forests? 

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated throughout India and Nepal; observed in Tibet, Indonesia and Africa; and wherever there is a temple, shrine or sanctuary honoring Lord Shiva. Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, lovers of Yoga and Meditation anywhere and everywhere observe this most auspicious night of the year.

Personal preparation for Maha Shivaratri includes reading stories and texts related to Lord Shiva. One favorite is the Shiva Sutras, aphorisms describing the nature of consciousness and supreme knowledge. A fast is usually observed during the day of Maha Shivaratri and can be observed most strictly as a complete abstinence from food and drink and may even be continued throughout the night until dawn. Or a fast may be modified to be an abstinence of meat, grains and dairy lasting until sundown. Just prior to the celebration of Maha Shivaratri, observers traditionally bathe carefully with the intention of symbolically cleaning the inner space of awareness. Maha Shivaratri is an auspicious day to wear malas and sacred gems, stones and jewelry, new clothing and rudraksha beads.

Maha Shivaratri may be celebrated for up to three days in some parts of the world but it is generally celebrated from sunset to sunrise on the No-Moon Day during the month of Phalguna (February/March). Maha Shivaratri begins the night of Saturday, March 9, in the Western Hemisphere.

Observances include songs of praise to Lord Shiva; bathing Shiva murtis and Shiva lingams in milk, yogurt, honey, ghee and water; offering incense, candles, fruits and flowers. It is said that observing the one night of Maha Shivaratri is equal in austerity power to a regular spiritual practice observed on all the other days of the year.

The curtain of illusion that obscures our true perception and confuses us is pulled open by Divine Grace on Maha Shivaratri. Therefore, whatever the external preparations and observances might be, the most important aspect of Maha Shivaratri is the silent inner communion with one’s own Self, which is the place where the Heart of Shiva is revealed.