The Worldwide Community of Sanatana Dharma invites you to take part in the celebration of Mahashivaratri and the subsequent seven-day retreat under the guidance of Swami Vishnudevananda Giri Maharaj from March 4 to 15, 2027, at the Shiva Prem Sagar Ashram in Italy.
Retreat theme:
“Alchemical Transmutation of Consciousness and the Refining of Energy in the Siddha Tradition”
The program includes traditional nighttime worship of Shiva, satsangs, pujas, abhisheka, mantra sadhana, kirtans, meditation, yoga, and practices with the ashram monks.
The Significance of Mahashivaratri
Mahashivaratri (Sanskrit: Mahāśivarātri) means “The Great Night of Shiva”: mahā — “great,” Śiva — “the Auspicious One,” rātri — “night.” It is one of the principal annual festivals of India’s Shaivite traditions.
Shivaratri is observed on the fourteenth lunar night of the waning half of each month. The most important observance is the annual festival of Mahashivaratri, which falls at the end of winter—in February or March according to the Gregorian calendar. In India, it is observed in temples, monasteries, pilgrimage sites, and household shrines. Of particular importance are the four night watches—the praharas—during which worship of the Shiva lingam, abhisheka, mantra recitation, and meditation are performed in succession.
Program
March 4 — Arrival and Accommodation
arrival of participants and accommodation at the ashram;
orientation to the grounds and the ashram routine;
evening puja;
bhajan mandala;
three vegetarian meals a day.
March 5 — Ashta Avarana Diksha
Ashta Avarana Diksha is initiation into the practice of the eight protections of Shiva.
Dīkṣā means a traditional initiation through which a disciple receives a mantra, a method of practice, and the corresponding commitments from a spiritual teacher. In Tantric and Agamic schools, diksha marks formal entry into a particular discipline of sadhana.
During the initiation, with the blessing of the spiritual teacher, disciples may be given spiritual names.
March 6–7 — Mahashivaratri Celebration
satsang with Swami Vishnudevananda Giri Maharaj;
worship of the Shiva lingam;
abhisheka of the murti of Shiva;
pujas and arati;
mantra sadhana;
kirtans and bhajans;
night vigil;
meditation;
individually chosen ascetic practices in accordance with the instructions and the participant’s state of health.
March 8–14 — Seven-Day Retreat
“Alchemical Transmutation of Consciousness and the Refining of Energy in the Siddha Tradition”
The program includes:
daily satsangs;
darshans with the spiritual teacher;
sessions with the ashram monks;
meditation;
mantra sadhana;
yoga;
puja and abhisheka;
bhajans, kirtans, and arati;
study of the principles of practice in the Siddha tradition;
observance of the retreat schedule and discipline.
March 15 — Completion of the Program and Departure
After the general program has concluded, an individual retreat at the ashram may be arranged by prior agreement.
Venue
Shiva Prem Sagar Ashram, Italy
The exact address, accommodation conditions, participation fee, clothing requirements, fasting rules, and a list of necessary items will be provided by the administration upon registration.
Registration
The number of available places and the possibility of participating in individual initiations must be agreed upon with the administration in advance.
Registration contact details are provided below.
Om Namaḥ Śivāya — “Om. Reverence to Shiva, the Auspicious One”
