Maha Shivaratri

MahaShivaratri - The Auspicious Night dedicated to Lord Shiva,
is celebrated in Mysore Ashram in the month of February or March according to the Vedic Calendar.
Datta Peetham is the abode for Sachichidanandeshwara Shivlinga and MahaShivaratri is celebrated every year right from the year it was installed. This Two day long festival is observed with atmost divinity wherein Panchamrutha Abhishekam and different varieties of Alankaaras are performed to Lord Sachichidanandeshwara thoughout the entire night on Shivaratri day. Thousands of devotees from all over the world flow to DattaPeetham to witness this divine Worship of Lord Shiva by Sri Swamiji.

An unique aspect of MahaShivaratri was from the year 1981 to 2000, Sri Swamiji was performing the AgniPuja(Worship of Fire) by entering into the Homa Pit and performing AgniPuja admist the blaze, surrounded by fire for more than an hour. After the Puja, Swamiji would take out the AgniPuja Prasadam which were in the forms of Shivlinga, Rudraksha, Srichakra, Deities, Saligrama or other precious stones that are manifested out of Fire. After performing Abhishekam to them, Sri Swamiji would reveal the Overall Yearly Prediction based on what has been manifested out of fire. This unique fire worship was performed for 18 long years and concluded in the year 2000.

The First of the Two day celebrations commences with Girija Kalyanam in Nada Mantapa in the morning followed by Procession of Shiva Idol in Rudraksha Chariot.
The Evening begins with the the remembrance of great Musicologist Sri Venkatamakhi & Saint composer Tyagaraja followed by mass singing of Tyagaraja's compositions by several musicians.

The Second day commenses with Sri Chakra Puja in Nada Mantapa at 7am. This is followed by Rudra Homa by Sri Swamiji and Ashram Pundits in Yaga Shaala section of Nada Mantapa and concludes by the Purnahuti offered to Rudra Homa. The Evening begins with Gangotsava - procession carrying water pots of the sacred waters of Manasa Sarovara & other holy rivers) to Sachchidanandeshwara Shiva Temple.

This is followed by Abhishekam by devotees to Sachchidanandeshwara Shiva Lingam, Chanting Rudra Prashna of Yajurveda eleven times, Abhishekam to Shiva Lingam eleven times and different decorations to Shiva Lingam.
At around 10pm, different Abhishekas are performed to Sachchidanandeshwara Shivalinga by Swamiji. This is followed by Shiva Bhajans, meditation and healing music & Shivaratri discourse by His Holiness Sri Swamiji at Poundarika Ranga Sthala.
At around 6am, Maha Mangalarati is performed to Sachchidanandeshwara Lingam followed by distribution of Teertha & Prasadam