Feature
Isha ’ s Mahashivarathri is the grandest event on the Isha calendar and is celebrated in a super-charged , high-voltage nightlong extravaganza . Because it has nothing to do with faith or belief , it usually attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world .
Yaksha – the Cultural precursor to Mahashivarathri
At Isha , Mahashivarathri celebrations are preceded by Yaksha . Named after celestial beings in Indian mythology , the 3-day Yaksha festival , the annual precursor to Mahashivarathri at Isha promotes the rich cultural heritage of Indian music and dance . Classical music and dance forms have been long used as a gateway to experience Yoga or oneness with existence in this culture . Some of the most well known classical and folk artists perform at Yaksha each year . The festival is held 3 days before the night of Mahashivarathri . It attracts audiences from all over the world for its vibrant depiction of music , dance and art .
Maha Yoga Yagna – the Fire signifying the spread of One Drop of Spirituality for all
On the night of Mahashivarathri , the Maha Yoga Yagna is usually lit by the Chief Guest at the celebrations . It signifies Sadhguru ’ s wish and Isha ’ s mission to spread one drop of spirituality to everyone on the planet . The first Maha Yoga Yagna was lit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017 when Adiyogi was unveiled to the world . President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu have also lit the symbolic fire when they participated as Chief Guests at the 2019 and 2020 celebrations respectively . With the lighting of the Yagna , millions of Isha volunteers ( Yoga Veeras ) worldwide commit
RANKED AMONGST THE FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN INDIA , SADHGURU IS A YOGI , MYSTIC , VISIONARY AND A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SADHGURU HAS BEEN CONFERRED THE PADMA VIBHUSHAN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA IN 2017 , THE HIGHEST ANNUAL CIVILIAN AWARD , ACCORDED FOR EXCEPTIONAL AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
- SADHGURU ISHA FOUNDATION to teaching a simple but powerful 5-minute Yogic practice to as many people as possible to facilitate a spiritual experience for even the completely uninitiated . When integrated into their lifestyle , these simple practices have the power to enhance the intensity of one ’ s experience of Life in all aspects – health , profession , personal , mental and emotional , and energy aspects .
Explosive midnight meditation with Sadhguru
One of the highlights of Isha ’ s Mahashivarathri celebrations is the Midnight Meditation with Sadhguru . Millions of people – in person and virtually – have experienced the energy of this powerful process led by Sadhguru . There are tools and technologies that one can internalize and prepare oneself physically and mentally to experience the explosive power and impact of the Midnight Meditation . This is usually done in the run-up to Mahashivarathri . One such simple but intense process is the Shivanga Sadhana .
Shivanga Sadhana
Shivanga literally means “ a limb of Shiva ”. Shivanga Sadhana is an opportunity to bring our connection with the Source of Creation into our awareness . The Sadhana provides a strong physical and psychological basis for inner exploration . It is done for a predetermined number of days ( 42 for men and 21 for women ) and culminates on the night of Mahashivarathri . Those who have undertaken the Sadhana and participated in the Midnight Meditation have testified to indescribable inner experiences and an acute awareness of the energy upsurge within the system .
Prasadam – more than a takeaway
Volunteers from around the world come together to offer prasadam to every visitor who participates in person at the celebrations . The Maha Annadanam is a mini-event by itself . Hundreds of thousands of visitors are offered food that is supportive for their experience on this auspicious night . People from around the world contribute every year for the Maha Annadanam .
Rudraksha Diksha
Rudraksha Diksha is one of the most sought after prasadams of Mahashivarathri at Isha . Rudraksha literally means the ‘ Tears of Shiva ’. Every year , on Mahashivarathri , visitors receive one Rudraksha bead as prasadam . The Rudraksha mala that adorns Adiyogi through the year is taken down and the beads are consecrated by Sadhguru and offered as Rudraksha Diksha .
“ Rudraksha Diksha is a powerful instrument to become accessible to the grace of Adiyogi ,” says Sadhguru . Rudraksha is said to be a reminder to its holder that one can lead their life consciously and break away from compulsive patterns which keep them trapped within their limitations . It symbolizes the possibility of charting one ’ s own destiny with the Grace of Adiyogi . This year , the Rudraksha Diksha is available to people around the world through a pre-registration process . Isha will ship the Rudraksha to all those who ask for it .
All night Satsangh with Sadhguru
With his infectious energy , Sadhguru engages the audience effortlessly in discourses and meditation sessions , wit and wisdom flowing with panache through the night . His involvement with the proceedings is complete . A soulful melody can move him to tears as much as a peppy beat can move him to shake a leg . Guided meditation sessions interspersed with his talks manage to keep tens of thousands of people riveted through the night .
An all-night cultural extravagance
Livewire energy seems to encase the Isha Yoga Center on the night of Mahashivarathri where men , women and children dance the night away in unbridled exuberance . Several famous artists have performed at the celebrations including Mohit Chouhan , Daler Mehndi , Parthiv Goel , Karthik , Ananya Bhat and many more . Performers from around the world have featured in the all-night event . A music group from Azerbaijan and drummers from Lebanon who participated in previous Mahashivarathri events were stunned by the super-charged energy of the audience that never dampens till 6 a . m . They confess that they have never performed on a similar stage anywhere in the world .
Connecting to the Source of Creation within oneself
The Mahashivarathri event at Isha is structured carefully to heighten one ’ s senses and make people receptive to become available to the naturally occurring phenomenon of energy upsurge . This rise in energy is a universal phenomenon and will happen to all regardless of whether one is aware of its occurrence or not .
“ Mahashivratri is an opportunity and a possibility to bring yourself to that experience of the vast emptiness within every human being , which is the source of all creation ,” says Sadhguru . “ It is our wish and blessing that you must not pass this night without knowing at least a moment of the vastness of this emptiness that we call as Shiva . Let this night not just be a night of wakefulness , let this night be a night of awakening for you .”
GolfPlus MARCH 2021 11