The great night of Lord Shiva - A Mahashivratri special

The 14th day of every lunar month is the eve of the new moon. It is also the darkest night of the month. In India, this night is known as Shivratri.

Of the 12 Shivratri that take place each year, Mahashivratri is the one with the most spiritual significance.

Why?

Every month, the moon's strongest gravitational pull occurs during full moon and new moon. This gravitational pull causes ocean tides to rise and bodily fluids, to move upward towards the brain.

But on Mahashivratri, there is greater force involved. On this night, the northern hemisphere of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is natural upsurge of energy in a human being. It's like nature pushing a human towards its spiritual peak. That's why it is important to stay awake and keep the spine upright all night - to allow the natural upsurge of energies to find their way.

Mahashivratri also celebrates darkness

A logical mind would resist darkness and opt for light. So why do we still celebrate darkness?

Because there is vast emptiness in every existence.

In other words, the stars in the universe are generally noticed, but the vast emptiness that holds them is not always noticed. The universe has more empty space and darkness than the number of stars

This vastness

This unbounded emptiness

Is what is referred to as Shiva

Modern science also proves that everything comes from nothing and goes back to nothing. It is in this context that Shiva, the vast emptiness or nothingness, is referred to as the great Lord or Mahadeva

May you feel Lord Shiva's presence on your journey to inner peace

We wish you a Happy Mahashivratri!

By - Cuddly Gurus - Celebrating and honoring great Hindu Icons

We offer Indian cultural plush toys that recreate great Indian icons and will delight your little ones. Great Ganesha and Humble Hanuman capture the beauty and perfection of these superheroes and can sing five mantras with a gentle touch to their belly. All of our cultural soft toys are made with care and devotion and accompanied by Hindu storybooks carefully crafted to engage young minds through simple, yet colorful storytelling.