some facts about shivratri explained with logic...

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We often wonder about the various spiritual customs that are practised on the myriad festivals that hindus practise. The ancients instituted these practises to coincide with festivals which again coincided with important seasonal changes to serve as memory aids on the spiritual path.

this was my first question on TM site for KPs :Why does shivaratri fall on the 14th day of the Phalguna month.

answer is as follows;

Hindus follow an Soli-Lunar calendar of twelve months of which Phalguna is the last. Phalguna marks the time when winter is thawing and spring is returning. Trees and flowers are in full bloom during this time . Animals and humans seem to have better mood’s compared to the depressing weather of winter. In a way Phalguna stands at the threshold of life and death . Winter is death to many plants and Spring is rejuvenation..

Rudra or Shiva is both the destroyer and Rejuvenator. He is the mantra devata for the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra which is present within the Namakam Chamakam and also he plays the role of devourer of creation or Mahakala. In Kashi he is worshipped as Mahakala.

So in other words the Month of Phalguna with the shivaratri signifies the movement from winter to spring…from death to birth …from sleep to awakening of the soul.

Why is shivratri puja started on evening and we have to remain awake on the night of Shivaratri…

Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the lord of awakening. Shiva Tatva means to be awakened. Shivratri is thus an occasion to awaken one’s self from all sorts of slumber. Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri.

my third question was: Why is a moonless night chosen… and Is not Amavasya an inauspicious day?

Moon or Soma is an important planet which plays a major role in regulating tides on earth , keeping the weather patterns steady , regulating the seasons and many other things. This is a proven scientific fact…In fact if the moon were not there the earth would not be there.National Geographic had a detailed show on this recently .

“Our moon is the “counter-balance” of our own planet. It makes our plant stable, just tilting 23 degrees. If the moon suddenly disappeared, however, catastrophic things might happen. Earth would tumble to it’s own axis, making our seasons different. Countries near the equator might experience snow, while in the polar regions they might experience drought. Tide patterns would also change.”


The ancients knew this and based the Hindu calendar on the Luni Solar Transition……Amavasya was not considered an Inauspicious day in ancient times. In fact it is not a suggested day for material gains but is a superb day for Mental focus and Spiritual practises.

Soma or the Moon has an huge impact on human’s ….The lunar cycle has a similar effect on the human mind and a moonless night gives the perfect opportunity to focus your energies on Lord Shiva