CHANDIGARH, INDIA, January 22, 2009: The date on which Maha Shivaratri falls this year is auspicious for many reasons this
time around.
Jaipur-based astrologer Avnish Pandey said that this year, the festival falls on Monday, which is considered day of Lord Shiva. In Jyotish, Chaturdashi belongs to Lord Shiva and Monday belongs to the moon. It was in 2006 that the festival was last celebrated on a Monday and this combination would be repeated only in 2012. Secondly, Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi spreads over the times of suryodaya (sunrise), pradosh-kal (transition) and ardratri (midnight). This year, Vaishnav and Shivaite sects are celebrating Mahashivaratri on the same day after 20 years. Last time, it was on March 6, 1989 that both the sects observed it on the same day. This rare occasion would not be repeated in the next 50 years, he said.
Wearing Rudraksha seeds, said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva, when worshipping Lord Shiva, is ideal, he further said.