Okay, so yesterday my neighbor Padma asked me about Lord Shiva’s big festivals. I realized I kinda knew bits – like Shivratri is huge – but couldn’t explain properly. Felt like I should actually sit down and figure this out properly, you know? For myself and anyone else curious.
Starting With Shivratri – The Obvious One
First thing I did? Grabbed my old diary where I scribbled notes from temple talks last year. Found my section on Maha Shivratri. Remembered the priest saying it’s the “Great Night of Shiva” – usually falls in Feb or March. What clicked was why it’s a big deal: Shiva doing the tandava dance, marrying Parvati, and swallowing poison to save the world. Heavy stuff! I underlined “fasting, night-long prayers, bilva leaves” in my notes.
Digging Beyond Shivratri
But Shiva’s got more dates, right? Felt like I was missing pieces. Pulled out this beat-up Hindu calendar I keep near my puja corner. Flip-flip-flip… ah! Found ’em:
- Maha Shivratri: Obviously top of the list. Marked my calendar with “NO FOOD” for that day next year. Padma laughs at my memory.
- Shravan Somvar: Every Monday in July/August? Didn’t realize it went all month! Whole Shravan month is wet season, pouring milk & water on Shiva linga. Messy but pure devotion vibe.
- Pradosh: Took me a minute to remember. It’s that 13th day in the lunar fortnight. Twilight hours special? Double-checked: yep, “sandhya time” prayers hit different for Shiva that day.
Also saw references to Kartik Purnima (full moon in Oct/Nov – Shiva wiped out demons then) and Makar Sankranti in January (sun starts moving north, Shiva blesses the shift). Scribbled stars next to these.
Putting It All Together
So yeah, my little research showed:
- Main event: Maha Shivratri. The BIG night.
- Regular fix: Shravan Mondays for month-long intensity.
- Quick devotion shots: Twice-monthly Pradosh fasts.
Honestly, before this I’d just show up at temple occasionally. Now? Feels like I’ve got actual dates to connect with Mahadev’s rhythm. Next plan: actually doing the Shravan Monday fasts properly this year. Maybe skip the milk waterfall though – my floor can’t handle it.
