Maha Shivarathri is a day devoted to Hinduism’s supreme god - Lord Shiva - as he appeared in ‘Aru-Uruva’ formation, on the - ‘Sivalingam’ (Lingam with an ‘aru uruva’ shape).
This sacred day - falling on Friday (21) observed by Hindus, talks of two reasons. First - due to the day which is considered a holy day for the religion and second - it is during midnight that Sivalingam was formed. Hence, Maha - Grand, Siva - Lord Shiva, Raathiri - Night. Devotees hold vigil staying up all-night in observing and worshipping ‘Maha Shivarathri.’
‘Maha Shivarathri’ is a significant and a special worship day for any Hindu.
A historical story linked with the auspicious day is - Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, self-proclaiming as the authority, were in a quest to discover the boundary of Shiva. Since the almighty Shiva is a deity sans a beginning or an end, it has naturally resulted in a failed attempt to discover the boundary of Lord Shiva. Hence, he appeared in the form of ‘fire’ (sodhi), too.
By engaging in special prayers and vigil, it is a faith shared by seniors. Devotees will be blessed with an abundance of positive results and all sins committed in previous births would be destroyed with the roots.
It is a day of worshipping and a night of vigil. A day that would test piousness, focus and self-control.
It is usually advised that devotees, observing vigil all-night should avert even having a cat nap - when it has dawned, as that would defeat the purpose of staying up all-night.
For the Lord Shiva shrines spread across the country it would be marathon hours of chanting mantras and some even staging cultural and educational programs, burning midnight oil.
The All Ceylon Hindu Congress Vice President, Arul Thirumukam revealed that once-upon-a-time it was Lord Shiva shrines that were located around the coastal belt of the country as follows:
From the Keerimalai Naguleshwaram Temple in Jaffna to Thiruketheeswaram in Mannar, Munneshwaram in Chilaw, Maguleeswaram in Galle (disappeared with time) and Thirukoneshwaram in Trincomalee.
The Vice President said, even to-date because, the country is surrounded by Lord Shiva’s shrines, a stone’s throw from the sea, it is observed piously and on a special scale.
Another popular Lord Shiva temple includes Shri Ponnambalawaneshwaram Temple, Kochchikade, Colombo. It is famous for an out-of-the-ordinary architecture built in granite.
(P.S.)