Shivaratri, “Shivas great night” falls this year on February 23rd. An important Hindu festival, it is celebrated at new moon to honour the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. It is also considered to be the night when Shiva performed the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction of the universe.
Devotees honour the occasion with ritual, chanting, story telling, prayer and fasting, continuing through the night until dawn.
It is believed that a devotee who observes a Shivaratri fast with sincerity and utters the name of Lord Shiva with perfect devotion is absolved from all sins. Such a devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shiva and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
Follow this link to hear Shiva’s powerful mantra. Om namah shivaya: I bow before Shiva.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gEx3ldOUBs&feature=related
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