Before this year, I had celebrated Mahashivaratri in my city. I had thought this celebration was mainly held in my city and my country, India, and not elsewhere. When I saw this beautiful gallery of crescent moons from all over the world, I felt such joy.
As I was going through the photos of the moon, and reading the names of the different cities and different countries, I had a beautiful feeling of unity. I could feel that the same grace and joy of Mahashivaratri was spreading all over the world.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for the gift of this understanding of unity.
Valsad, India
Paradoxically, looking at the slender Mahashivaratri moon from so many angles and locations made me think of the sun!
While viewing the gallery, I focused on how the sun’s rays are what illumine the moon and just how bright and powerful the sun’s light is. Even at night, the sun is still blazing away up there in the heavens, lighting up anything in its path. I imagined the magnificent waves of pure light being emitted by the sun every minute of every day and filling our universe.
At this time of Mahashivaratri, this contemplation led me quickly to thoughts of the unchanging power of Shiva. I thought of how the light of Shiva, the Self within, blazes brightly whether or not I am aware of it. How much of the light I see is determined by my perspective. Sometimes I see only a slender crescent of the Self, sometimes I see the blazing noonday sun!
May we all come to understand the power of the light within ourselves.
Jaya Gurumayi!
Sydney, Australia
The tiny crescent moon, pictured from so many places in the world, was so powerful for me. I especially loved seeing it in the sky over Shree Muktananda Ashram and Gurudev Siddha Peeth. I felt that the entire cosmos was honoring the abodes of the Guru.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for sustaining such sacred places on earth, accessible here to all the seekers around the world!
Rome, Italy
On Mahashivaratri eve, during my pauses from chanting, I kept going to the window to see if I could see the moon. I was disappointed, however, as the sky remained overcast, and it was getting to be time to go to bed.
Going to the website, I was absolutely delighted to see the beautiful photos of the moon from all over the world! I was deeply touched by everyone's efforts to share their experience of Mahashivaratri through their photos, with everyone else in the world. Such kindness!
Toronto, Canada
I had been viewing the changing shape of the crescent moon three days prior to Mahashivaratri and was eagerly waiting to see its culmination on the actual day. However, the sky was covered with clouds, and there was no sign of the moon. I continued gazing at the sky, repeating the mantra, and soon was enveloped by stillness and tremendous love.
Now, seeing these beautiful images of the crescent moon, I once again connected with the same silence and love that I experienced on the night of Mahashivaratri.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this revelation.
Nairobi, Kenya