Mahashivaratri: Where is Kailasham?

Are you wondering why is Mahashivaratri so powerful? Since childhood, Mahashivaratri is a festival that I hold closest to my heart. My grandmother used to tell me so many stories about her Ishta Devata, Lord Shiva and describe the grandeur of his divine abode in 'Kailasham'. 'Om Namah Shivaya' used to be my grandmother's constant and continuous chant throughout her life.

[READ: Adi Shankaracharya's teaching will change your life]

Mahashivratri: Meaning and Significance

At home, we used to have bhajans that begin from 6.30 pm to 6.30 am every year. People used to come and sing the glory of Lord Mahadeva and we used to stay wide awake.

As a child, this festival excited me because I could listen to beautiful bhajans throughout the night and sing as well.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai says, 'It is said that Lord Shiva lives in Kailasham. Where is Kailasham? It is not somewhere near Mt. Abu. Kailasham refers to our own joy, our own bliss...if one has a mind full of worries, even if one goes to Manasasarovar, one will not enjoy any happiness. If we can develop a sense of delight in our own minds, that itself is Kailasham." [Divine Discourse, February 15,1985]

Swami emphasises that 'Kailasham has been described as 'One which is Himachala'. 'Hima' means 'Ice' and it is symbolic of purity. 'Achalam' refers to 'Steadiness', which is sacredness and coolness. [Divine Discourse, February 15,1985]

'Purity, Sacredness and Steadiness is the crux of Himachalam' - this is when our hearts transform into 'Deham becomes Devalayam', the abode of true Kailasa.

Swami reiterates again, "Your body is a temple of God. How sacredly you have to keep it."

How sacred the human body is and how do we treat it? Time to reflect on this.

READ: What is the meaning of Mahashivaratri?

Mahashivaratri is a sacred and precious experience to understand this transformation into the divine energy of Lord Shiva. Through the night, each 'yamam' has a deep spiritual awakening and deeper significance. On the night of Mahashivaratri, if one is able to undertake the fast, concentrate solely on the sacred name and the form of Lord Shiva, it is considered an important milestone.

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In life, it is often our minds that mislead and miscommunicate with us. Mastery of the mind is what brings joy and releases us from the pain of suffering, attachments to family and materialistic pleasures.

Lord Mahadeva, revered as 'Adi Yogi', is symbolic of our aspirations of transforming our energies in the physical real from 'Deha into Devalaya'.

If you enjoyed reading this post, do read my post on 'Significance of Om' as well.

AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA.

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