Kerala tourism Guide

Ancient Puranas states that while churning the ocean Samudra Manthan a pot of poison which could destroy the world emerged and Lord Shiva drank the poison and held it in his throat using his yogic powers and saved the world from destruction. Maha Shivrathri is celebrated to commemorate this event where the Lord saved the world. During the festival a three tier platform is built around a fire and the top most layers represents the heaven known as Swargaloka, the middle layer denotes the space or Antarikshaloka and the bottom layer represents the Earth or Bhuloka. Eleven urns decorated with wood apple leaves or bilva and mango leaves are kept on the Swargaloka plank on top of a coconut which represents Lord Shiva’s head and the uncut shank and the three spots represents the hair and the three eyes. Maha Shivrathri worship to be complete six items should be incorporated in the process namely ceremonial offering of bael leaves to the deity representing the purification of soul, applying vermillion paste on the linga representing virtue, offering food for longevity and gratification of desires, incense burning for wealth, lighting lamps for knowledge and offering betel leaves showing satisfaction of world pleasures. All through the day and night devotees maintain severe fast and chant Om Namah Shivaya and pray to the LordAncient Puranas states that while churning the ocean Samudra Manthan a pot of poison which could destroy the world emerged and Lord Shiva drank the poison and held it in his throat using his yogic powers and saved the world from destruction. Maha Shivrathri is celebrated to commemorate this event where the Lord saved the world. During the festival a three tier platform is built around a fire and the top most layers represents the heaven known as Swargaloka, the middle layer denotes the space or Antarikshaloka and the bottom layer represents the Earth or Bhuloka. Eleven urns decorated with wood apple leaves or bilva and mango leaves are kept on the Swargaloka plank on top of a coconut which represents Lord Shiva’s head and the uncut shank and the three spots represents the hair and the three eyes. Maha Shivrathri worship to be complete six items should be incorporated in the process namely ceremonial offering of bael leaves to the deity representing the purification of soul, applying vermillion paste on the linga representing virtue, offering food for longevity and gratification of desires, incense burning for wealth, lighting lamps for knowledge and offering betel leaves showing satisfaction of world pleasures. All through the day and night devotees maintain severe fast and chant Om Namah Shivaya and pray to the Lord.