From the foothills of the Himalayas, on the banks of the Ganges, our love and remembrances to all the devotees in various cities around the world.

This weekend we have all come together to honor and celebrate the Divine principle, Shiva, as well as offer our worship and devotion. Mahashivaratri is celebrated on the 13th night and 14th day of the dark half of the moon (Krishna Chaturdashi) in the Indian month of Magha, which comes in February or March.
Austerity is the predominant factor of this festival that has practically no festivity or gaiety. The whole night is broken into four quarters wherein abhishek and puja is performed to the Shivalingam four times during the night.

Following Baba’s tradition we have always held a chanting saptah of Om Namah Shivaya. This year we will have a saptah from Saturday noon to Sunday noon at the Haridwar ashram.

Recently I received a story that I thought is appropriate to share with everyone. A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," He said. "I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone."
We always pray for something, let us pray for nothing less than the highest. On this occasion of Mahashivaratri we ask Lord Shiva to bestow the highest understanding upon us.

With all my love,
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityananda