Maha Shivaratri is the most powerful day in the year to connect with Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hindu Dharma. Shiva is the form of the Absolute associated with the dissolution of the Universe. In Hinduism, cosmic time and creation is cyclical and hence destruction is a necessary step for new growth, Shiva is therefore associated with renewal, time and spiritual transformation. For many Hindus, Shiva’s role goes beyond being the deity of destruction and he is the Suprem Brahman. Maha Shivaratri is marked with Vrata (fasting) and Jagran (staying awake) until sunrise of next day, and Puja (ritual worship) of Shiva repeated 4 times through the night. In the Kashmiri tradition this is the most important festival and is marked by a set of very unique traditions. Here the festival lasts a fortnight and involves a feast on the day when most other communities fast (Kashmiri Hindus usually fast the day before).
About the image: Mukha-Linga from the 10th century Chaumuknath temple at Nachna district M.P (India). The Linga is the most common form through which Shiva is worshiped. The abstract shape embodies a number of philosophical concepts such as Brahman with and without form, the endless pillar of light Shiva emerged from and together with its base (yoni peetham) embodies the union of the masculine and feminine creative energies. Mukha-lings are a type of Linga bearing images of one or more faces. The philosophy of Shaivism (Shiva centric Hinduism), describe 5 aspects or acts of Shiva. The four faces here represent four of these acts Satyojata (creation), Vamadeva (preservation), Aghora (destruction) and Tatpurusha (power of illusion by which a living being forgets its divinity). The fifth; Ishana (power of grace by which a living being recognises its divinity), is not represented but during puja is invoked on the top portion of the linga. The mood of each form is captured in the facial expression.
Image Credits: @Chaitan25537178 on X