— SACRED TIME —

Maha Shivaratri

February 15 · Hinduism · Eastern traditions

Moveable date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Great night of Shiva: the night the ascetic drank the world's poison and in which the cosmic dance is completed. Verticality and immobility as a path.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·All-night vigil in four prayer shifts
·Abhisheka: bathing the lingam with milk, honey, yogurt, water
·Repetition of the Om Namah Shivaya mantra

Traditional foods

·Fasting or only fruit and milk
·Thandai

Offerings

·Bilva leaves, milk, sacred ash

Taboos to respect

·No grains
·No sleeping during the night

Associated symbols

Lingam · Trident · Crescent moon in the hair · Ash