Once creation was complete, Parvati asked Lord Shiva which devotees and rituals pleased him most. The Lord replied that the 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phalgun, is his most favourite day. Parvati repeated these words to her friends, from whom the word spread over all creation.And so it began! Shivaratri literally means the (great) night of Shiva; celebrated annually on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha or Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar. Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva.It is also known as Padmarajarathri. According to Vedic Literature, the legend associated with Samudra Manthan (churning of ocean)……..

Read more for the Shivarathri Programme at Bhakti Marga SAa process in which the asuras (demons) and the gods joined hands to churn out amrit (divine nectar) from the depths of the ocean, using a mountain as a churn-dash and a snake as a rope. The devas (demi-gods) and their counterpart, asuras (demons) were churning for a nectar of immortality. Among the many things that came out of the ocean was a pot of poison,so potent that it had the power to destroy the whole universe. It could not just be discarded. The devas and asuras believed themselves too valuable or sacred to drink it. Shiva, upon the request of the gods, came forward in a calm disposition and said that he would drink the Halahala (poison) for “the sake of his family to sustain peace and allow them to find the nectar of immortality.” By drinking the Halahala, he eliminated its destructive capacity. Shocked by his act, Goddess Parvathi strangled his neck and hence managed to stop it in his neck itself and prevent it from spreading all over the universe which is supposed to be in Shiva’s stomach. However the poison was so potent that it changed the color of His neck to blue. For this reason, Lord Shiva is also called Neelkanta.. After drinking the poison, Shiva went to the Himalayas to meditate. The nectar of immortality was found. The asuras tried to steal it from the devas. They wanted to become more powerful than the devas to be able to destroy them. After a “series of divine interventions”, the devas emerged as the winners and received the gift of immortality. By drinking the poison, Shiva sacrificed himself for the safety of his family and humanity.

“In the Hindu tradition, we call Shiva ‘the destroyer’. He destroys, but it’s always for a good cause. Whatever he destroys he always gives the opportunity to recreate. At the end of life we face and fear death, the time when Shiva comes. He enables the soul to be born again, with another opportunity to self realise.

Shivarathri Programme – Bhakti Marga SA

The great night of Maha Shivarathri will be celebrated at the Maha Jwala Narsimha and Maha Shanta Narsimha Temples in Alan Manor, Johannesburg and Stanger, Kwa-Zulu Natal respectively. Starting on Sunday 10th of March at 6pm.

When : Sunday , 10 MARCH 2013

Where: Johannesburg – MAHA JWALA NARSIMHA TEMPLE

Kwa- Zulu Natal , Stanger – MAHA SHANTA NARSIMHA TEMPLE

Time: 6pm- 6am

• 6pm: Maha Abhishekum and traditional water offerings on biel leaves
• Singing of Lingastakam
• discourse
• bhajans & satsang
• 9pm
• Maha Abhishekum and traditional water offerings on biel leaves
• Singing of Lingastakam
• discourse – Q & A
• bhajans & satsang
• 12pm – midnight
• Maha Abhishekum and traditional water offerings on biel leaves
• Singing of Lingastakam
• meditation
• bhajans & satsang
• 3am
• Maha Abhishekum and traditional water offerings on biel leaves
•  Singing of Lingastakam
•  story telling / talk
•  bhajans & satsang
• 6am
• Maha Yagna dedicated to Shiv Bhagawan
• meditation
• Bhakti Marga South Africa Premavatar Sri Swami Vishwananda ki Jai