Maha Sivarathri, the great night of Siva, holds a special significance. Rishis and gurus have taught us that performing sadhana, meditation, and a full-night vigil on this sacred night can invoke the grace of Lord Siva and purge past life karmas. Aum Namah Sivaya.
Throughout 2020–21, I was informally reading the Himalayan Academy’s Master Course, taking one lesson each from Dancing with Siva, Living with Siva, and Merging with Siva. These teachings guided me on what to do and what to avoid, offering clarity in my spiritual path. While the Kauai Hindu Monastery in the US remained out of reach for me due to distance, I longed to experience the divine energy and serenity of a well-run Hindu monastery.
At the same time, the Isha Foundation was growing in prominence. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s powerful messages and captivating stage presence were everywhere. As I’ve shared before, while the Art of Living felt like a calm river, the Isha Foundation brought the energy of fire—fiery yet positively transformative.
During the pandemic, my family underwent a profound transformation. I fondly remember doing Full Moon Meditations with my little daughter—moments I will always cherish. Reiki, meditation practices from the Art of Living, and teachings from Isha filled our lives with warmth and grace, like sunshine breaking through clouds. For many of us in South India, participating in the Maha Sivarathri night at the Isha Foundation is a dream come true.
Most of my classmates were confined to their homes during the pandemic. Interestingly, we organized a virtual alumni meet after 20 long years. It was heartwarming to reconnect with friends, their families, and our shared college memories. One of my friends, Daya, who owns a farmhouse near the Isha Foundation, shared a picture of Adiyogi with us. It felt like Lord Siva was calling me!
During the second lockdown in 2021, Daya gifted us two VIP passes to the Maha Sivarathri event at the Isha Foundation. My life partner and I were fortunate to attend this sacred event. The experience of staying awake the entire night, chanting Lord Siva’s name, keeping our spines straight, and immersing ourselves in the powerful meditation sessions led by Sadhguru and the sadhakas, was unforgettable. If you happen to watch the YouTube video of the song “Ennappan Allava”, you might spot me in the audience wearing a light green shirt!
Reaching the venue itself was an adventure. The traffic stretched for 4–5 kilometers, and it took us two hours to get there. The dedicated volunteers ensured our safety and guided us through the crowd with care.
The scale of the event was beyond imagination—truly monumental. It felt bigger than an India vs. Australia World Cup final! Why would over 200,000 people gather in one place for a single night? It’s the combined power of God and Guru that transforms such a gathering into a magical experience.
I am grateful to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and Isha foundation for being the catalyst to find my real guru Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami and Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami of Kauai Aadheenam, USA.
For us, that Maha Sivarathri night was nothing short of extraordinary—a treasure we will cherish for a lifetime.
