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According to Hindu calendar, Shukla Paksha Navami of Jyeshtha month is celebrated as Mahesh Navami. Various legends related to Mahesh Navami are prevalent. According to one of those stories, there was King Khadgalsena, who had no children. After doing very hard penance, he had a son named Sujan Kunwar. The royal sages and scholars of astrology told the king not to let his son go to the north until he was 20 years of age.
As time passed, one day when the prince was a teenager, he went to the forest for hunting. Coincidentally the prince went towards the north by mistake. Further north, some sages were sitting engrossed in penance. Although the soldiers made many attempts to stop the prince, unfortunately, the prince did not accept anyone's request. As soon as the prince left that place, suddenly a sage's penance was broken. Due to this, he became furious. He cursed Prince Sujan Kunwar that the prince would instantly turn into a Stone Statue. Due to the curse of the sages, the prince and all his soldiers also turned to stone.
In another story related to Mahesh Navami, it is described that the sages had cursed the king for the end of his dynasty. When the spies informed King Khadgalsena about this accident, the king became worried and immediately reached the spot. His wife Chandravati and the wives of the soldiers who turned to stone were also present there. The king and all the people present prayed to the sages for forgiveness for breaking their penance and asked for a solution to get rid of the curse. On repeated prayers by the king, the sages said that worshipping Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati is the only way to get rid of this curse. By his grace, this curse will become ineffective, and everyone will become human again like before.
After that, King Khadgalsena along with his wife and the wives of all the soldiers worshiped Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati with devotion. Pleased with the severe penance of King Khadgalsena, Lord Shiva freed his son and soldiers from the curse.
According to beliefs, Lord Shiva gave his name to the king and said, "From today onwards, our imprint will be on your lineage, you will be called Maheshwari". As a result, they all became Vaishyas from Kshatriyas. Those Kshatriyas had revival and Maheshwari Community emerged by the grace of Lord Mahesh and Mother Parvati. Lord Shiva is worshiped as the Kula Devata in Maheshwari community.
According to the belief, the origin of Maheshwari society took place on Jyeshtha Shukla Navami of Yudhishthir Samvat 9, since that time, the festival of Maheshwari Vansh Utpatti Day is celebrated every year in the name of Mahesh Navami on Jyeshta Shukla Navami in Maheshwari society. On the day of Mahesh Navami, the Mahesh form of Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Mother Parvati. Therefore, Lord Mahesh and Mother Parvati are considered the founders of the Maheshwari community.
Preparations for this festival start well in advance. On the auspicious occasion of Mahesh Navami, various types of religious and cultural programs are organized, and processions are taken out. Devotees of Lord Shiva sing Mahesh Vandana on this day; Maha Aarti of Lord Mahesh is also performed in Shiva temples.
Mahesh Navami is observed annually on Shukla Paksha Navami in Jyeshtha month according to Hindu lunar calendar.
Lord Shiva is worshipped on Maha Shivaratri day. It is believed that Lord Shiva was born as Linga at midnight on this day. Lord Shiva is worshipped in all the four Prahar of the night on Maha Shivaratri. Nishita Kaal Puja Time for Maha Shivaratri is given on this page.
108 Shiva Names mentioned in Shakta Pramod Grantha are the most popular 108 Names of Lord Shiva. Each name when combined with Om Namah becomes independent Mantra in itself and can be used for chanting as well as to perform Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali Homa.
Lord Shiva Chalisa is provided with lyrics and recitation video. Devotees of Lord Shiva recite this Chalisa to please Him and seek His blessings.
Lord Shiva Aarti is provided with lyrics and recitation video. It's a widely known and melodious Aarti dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Lord Mahadev Aarti is given with lyrics and recitation video. It is a very popular Aarti dedicated to the Mahadeva form of Lord Shiva.
Shivaratri Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi consisting of all the main steps of worship like Sankalpa, Dhyana, Avahana, Asana, Arghya etc. has been provided along with Mantra. With the help of this Puja Vidhi, you can take full advantage of Maha Shivaratri by performing worship in a proper manner.
Maha Shivaratri Greeting Cards with pictures of Shiva Mukha Lingam, Swayambhu Shiva Lingam Abhishek, Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash and Shiva Grinding Bhang are given. You can send Maha Shivaratri greetings to your loved ones through these beautiful pictures.
All Masik Shivaratri that occur during a year are listed. According to the Hindu calendar, Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of every month is celebrated as Masik Shivaratri. Devotees of Lord Shiva observe a one-day fast on this occasion.
All Mondays or Somwar which fall during Shravana month are considered highly auspicious for fasting to seek blessing of Lord Shiva and known as Shravana Somwar. Most states follow regional calendars due to which dates of Sawan Somwar might differ by 2 weeks.
In North India, Shivaratri which falls during the auspicious month of Shravana is known as Sawan Shivaratri. Except Hindi belt in North India, in rest of India Sawan begins one or two days after Sawan Shivaratri.
Pradosh Vrat, also known as Pradosham in South India, is observed to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. According to the Hindu calendar, this fast is observed on the Trayodashi Tithi of both Shukla and Krishna Paksha of the lunar month. Pradosham days for whole year are listed on this page.
Various types of Lord Shiva Rangoli designs and Shiva Linga Rangoli designs are given. The method of making beautiful Rangoli is also described step by step through pictures. With the help of these pictures, one can make Rangoli very easily.
Om Namah Shivaya i.e. the Mula Mantra of Lord Shiva is the most powerful Mantra of Lord Shiva. Om Tryambakam, the death defeating Mantra of Lord Shiva. Om Tatpurushaya, the Rudra Gayatri Mantra of Lord Shiva are few powerful Mantra to please and seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
A detailed Shodashopachara Shiva Puja Vidhi dedicated to Lord Shiva is provided. In the presented Puja Vidhi, all the sixteen steps of Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi including Dhyana, Avahana, Padya, Arghya, and Achamaniya are described with Mantras.
Shiva Ramashtakam is given with lyrics and recitation video. It is a very melodious and effective Ashtakam dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Shri Shiva Ashtottarashatanama Stotram is given with lyrics and video. Reciting this Stotram is considered to be very auspicious and fruitful.
