Today is Maha Shivaratri Festival which is celebrated by all over the India. Considered as one of the important Hindu festivals — Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with much aplomb by the devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival holds a lot of significance in the Hindu mythology and it is commonly believed that those who observe the day with sincerity and devotion are forgiven of all their sins.
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Maha Shivaratri, which literally means the ‘The Great Night of Shiva’ is celebrated in the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha on the 13th day or the 14th night of Phalguna or Maagha month (that is February or March as per the English calendar). On this day devotees worship and offer sacrifices to Shivalingam as part of their prayers to the god. This year the day will be celebrated on February 13
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Devotees, traditionally offer milk, water, bel leaves (three leaves stalked in one) and fruits to the Shivalingam.
May all your wishes come true and the blessings of the Shiva remain with you always. Happy Maha Shivratri!
Wishing you good fortune and prosperity on Maha Shivratri.
May the blessings of Lord Shiva be showered on you this Maha Shivratri.
May Shiva bless you with good health, happiness and prosperity.
Mount Kailash
May Shiva bless you with patience and a heart to see good in everything! Happy Maha Shivratri!
May the blessings of Lord Shiva be with you always. Happy Maha Shivratri!
Song sung for Puja
Bhang has been traditionally associated with Shiva worship which is why he is often called the ‘Lord of Bhang’. However, Lord Shiva is first and foremost the God of all creation and destruction in Hindu mythology, with a particular liking for all that is rejected – corpses, intoxicants and such (traditionally, Shiva is offered the datura/Devil’s snare, a poisonous flower that he is particularly fond of!). This preference for taking what is rejected by society extends to his love for cannabis. The destruction aspect of his personality also extends to the metaphysical world – he is the destroyer of ignorance and illusion, and this particular trait is enhanced by his use of cannabis. In almost utter contrast to using the drug as escape, the Vedic texts tell of how Lord Shiva used it to turn inwards and gain the ultimate mastery of his senses, but they also repeatedly warn that he is the only one who is capable of using it; therefore, mere mortals should refrain from even attempting!
Two ways to take Bhang
1st
Blunt (cannabis)
2nd
Bhang Lassi
Bhang Recipe
if you’d like to try bhang yourself, here is a common bhang recipe:
Ingredients:
• 2 cups water
• Up to 1/2 ounce of fresh cannabis leaves and flowers
• 3 cups warm milk
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground fennel
• 1/2 tsp ground anise
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp rosewater
• 1/2 cup honey or sugar
• Rose petals, mint leaves, chopped almonds or pistachios to garnish
Directions:
• Heat water to a rapid boil, then remove from heat and add the cannabis plant material. Steep for about seven minutes.
• Strain cannabis leaves and flower from water using a muslin cloth. Squeeze the plant matter until all liquid has been removed. Collect the water and set it aside.
• Put the leaves and flowers into a mortar and pestle with 2 teaspoons of warm milk. Slowly but firmly grind the leaves and milk together, then squeeze the flowers to extract the milk. Continue this process until you have used about ½ cup of milk. Save the extracted milk.
• Add chopped almonds, pistachios, rose petals, mint leaves or any other garnishes to your mortar and pestle, along with more warm milk. Grind until a fine paste is formed. Collect the extract and discard any additional nut fibers or residue.
• Combine all the liquids together, and add garam masala, ginger, fennel, anise, cardamom, and rosewater. Add honey (or sugar) and the remaining warm milk.
• Mix well, chill, serve, and enjoy.
