|  The night prior to the New Moon day, of every month, has a special
significance. The next day would be Amavasya day (New Moon day) according to the lunar
calendar. This Krishna Chathurdasi has mythological connotations attached to it. On all
these 12 days (one day every month), according to Hindu mythology, it is believed that
Goddess Parvathi takes a human form to worship her spouse Lord Siva. On these Masa
Sivarathri days special pujas are conducted in Siva temples in the evenings. Among all
these 12 days, the one that falls in the month of Masi (Feb.15 - March 14) is the most
important day to venerate Siva and that is MAHASIVARATHRI. Mahasivarathri falls on March
4th, this year. This is a special day or rather night to offer pujas to the Supreme Lord
Siva. All over India, Sivarathri is celebrated with religious fervour with lakhs of
devotees, standing in long queues for hours to have a dharshan and offer their prayers to
the Lord. Pious or religiously devoted people normally observe fasting and go to a Siva
temple to worship and pray. Some even conduct special pujas in their homes.
 Maha Sivarathri has mythological connotations. The interesting story
goes like this: "According to Hindu mythology, once there was a dispute between Maha
Vishnu and Brahma about their superiority. Lord Siva, who wanted to sort out this dispute,
took the form of huge fire Amalagni. He asked the other two to find out His head and feet.
Taking the form of a swan, Brahma went in search of Siva’s head and Vishnu in the
form of a huge boar, dug the earth to locate Siva’s feet. But, both of them failed.
More than that, the Ketaki flower (Thazhamboo in Tamil) gave a false evidence that Brahma
had located Siva’s head. This triggered Siva’s anger and he cursed the flower to
be the abode of a cobra. Then the flower realised its folly and apologised. Siva pardoned
the flower and allowed it to be used for his worship only on Mahasivarathri day. At last
the other two of the Trinity accepted their defeat and prayed to Maheswara in this
Lingodhbhava Kala (time). Blessed by Parameswara, they were asked to continue their duty -
Creation and Protection. The Lord Himself continues His duty of quelling our egoism and
egotism. So, at this time there is the confluence of the Gods - Parameswara, Maha Vishnu,
Brahma, and above all Parasakthi alias Parvathi. Is the lore not interesting?"
 Kamikagamam is one of those 28 Agamas (tradition to follow rituals
in a temple) which were supposed to have emerged from the five faces of Lord Siva, namely,
Thathpurusham, Vamadevam, Agoram, Easanam and Sathyojatham. The Kapaleeswarar temple in
Chennai follows this Agamam and conducts six Kaala (time) pujas every day. On
Mahasivarathri day, in addition to these six Kaala pujas, four special pujas will be
conducted starting from 11.30. p.m. to 4.00 a.m. (Lingodhbhava Kaalam), the next morning.
At 4.30 a.m. the Lord will be taken to Palliyarai. But for the devotee, it is the total
devotion to the Lord that is important. One can observe fasting according to his/her will,
and worship the Supreme God on that particular Lingodhbahva Kala, chanting the Mantra
"Om Sivaya Namah". Goddess Parvathi, the Supreme Mother, will bless them with
Eternal Bliss." "Kapalin Bhiksho Mehrudaya kapim Adhyanta Chapalam Dhrudam
Bhaktya Badhva Shiva Bhavat Adhinam Kuru Vibho!" ---- Sivandhalahari. ( O! Lord
Kapaleeswara! I beg you to save my heart that wanders like a monkey; please tie it down
with the rope of devotion).[Courtesy : Brahma Sri: Dr.S Viswanatha Sivachariar., Chief
Priest, Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple & Rtd. Professor of Sanskrit, Vivekananda
College, Chennai)
 All over India Sivarathri will be celebrated on this day. Sri.
Viswanatha Sivachariar was proceeding to Kasi to be there on the day to worship Lord
Viswanathar. (Similarly, places like Kanchipuram, Thiruvannamalai, Kalahasti,
Thiruvanakkaval & Chidambaram (Pancha Bhootha Sthalams) have important shrines where
one can go on a pilgrimage during Maha Sivarathri day).
R. Bharathi
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