Today is the most auspicious night of Maha Paramasivaratri, the night of the great god, the Ultimate Shiva. Once a year in February or March according to the Vedic calendar the great night of Shiva is celebrated. Fasting for 24 hours, chanting of the divine name continuously in the form of ajapa japa, and asking for a boon to be fulfilled by Paramashiva himself are common during this time.

Chanting can be OM Namah Shivaya, Shivaya Nama OM, or Shiva Shiva Shiva, or most simple but profound OM, OM, OM… The longer mantras are best when feeling tired to keep you awake.

Paramashiva has visited planet earth as a living master many times in many forms like as Sundareshwara in Madurai who married Meenakshi, the fish-eyed daughter of the Himalayas. He also manifested as the Arunachala Mountain in Tiruvannamalai and a blazing light shaft that occasionally can be seen in the area of the mountain still to this day. Paramashiva also manifests in Kashi or Varanasi to liberate souls.

On this most auspicious occasion, blessings to everyone. May whatever your heart desires be fulfilled through His grace. OM Nama Shivaya _/\_