Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt greetings to the nation on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, wishing for happiness, prosperity, and a stronger commitment to building a developed India. In a message shared on social media platform X, Narendra Modi expressed his devotion to Lord Shiva and hoped that the festival would inspire collective progress. Accompanying his wishes with a video, he wrote, “I wish all my countrymen a very happy Mahashivratri, a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. May this divine occasion bring happiness, prosperity, and good health to all of you and also strengthen the resolve for a Viksit Bharat. Har Har Mahadev!”
The festival, celebrated with immense devotion across India, sees devotees visiting Shiva temples, performing rituals, and observing fasts in reverence to Lord Shiva. Many devotees engage in night-long prayers and chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ as part of their spiritual observance. Maha Shivratri is traditionally believed to mark the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, although certain scholars argue that ancient scriptures, including the Shiva Purana, do not mention this event explicitly. The Shiva Purana describes Maha Shivratri as the day when the sacred Shivling first manifested on the fourteenth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Falgun. According to the scriptures, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma worshipped the Shivling on this day, leading to its recognition as a sacred occasion.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his Maha Shivratri greetings, emphasizing the festival’s deep spiritual and introspective significance. He described it as a celebration of the union of Shiva and Shakti and prayed for the welfare of all. In his message, he stated, “Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the holy festival of Mahashivratri. This festival of the union of Shiva and Shakti is a great festival of spirituality, introspection, and faith. I pray to Devadhidev Mahadev for the welfare of all.”
Bharatiya Janata Party National President and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda also shared his best wishes, expressing his hope that the festival would bring happiness, prosperity, and good health. He wrote, “Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen on the holy festival of Maha Shivratri. I pray to the God of Gods, Mahadev, that this great festival brings happiness, prosperity, and health in everyone’s life. May the blessings of Baba Bholenath remain on everyone.”
The celebrations across the country reflect deep-rooted devotion, with thousands of devotees thronging Shiva temples to offer prayers. Temples in Varanasi, Ujjain, and other pilgrimage centers witnessed large gatherings, with devotees performing elaborate rituals, including the traditional Abhishek with milk, honey, and water. Many observed fasts and participated in religious processions, reinforcing the significance of Maha Shivratri as a time of spiritual awakening and devotion.
