While Maha Shivratri is an important day for actress Ashita Dhawan, she says that she and her family make sure to not offer milk at the temple. Instead, they donate this milk to the needy, says the actress, who has been a part of shows like Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Imlie, Krishna Mohini, and Mera Balam Thanedaar and is currently seen in Prem Leela on Dangal.
“Since childhood, our Mahashivratri celebrations have been quite simple. We would visit the temple, and offer milk and Belpatra to Lord Shiva. But over time, we realised that milk often gets wasted, so now we just offer water instead. It feels better to donate milk to children who need it. Unlike Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, or Ashtami, which we celebrate with great enthusiasm, Maha Shivratri was always a quieter occasion for us. We followed the traditions our parents taught us, and that’s how we continue to celebrate it even now. Nothing too elaborate, just simple rituals,” she says.
Talking about the significance of the festival, she says, “When I was in 5th Std, I kept a fast for Maha Shivratri for the first time. I had told my mom that I also wanted to keep a fast like her. But since I was so young, I couldn’t complete it. After a while, I started feeling very hungry, and I ended up breaking the fast. My mom told me, ‘It’s okay, you’re still a child. Shiv Ji will forgive you.’ But for some reason, I got really scared. I used to be very afraid of Lord Shiva. Whenever I saw his idol or picture, I would bow my head down because I felt like if I looked into his eyes, his third eye might open, and he would get angry with me.”
She says that she feels inspired by listening to how others connect to Lord Shiva. “Now, when I listen to people’s stories, especially my sister’s, who is deeply devoted to Lord Shiva, or my friends who are Shiv Bhakts, I feel very inspired. Seeing their devotion makes me feel like I also want to experience that connection,” she avers.
Fasting for long hours can be challenging, especially for actors with rigorous schedules. Talking about fasting while working, she says, “I feel that any kind of fasting is very, very important, whether it is for general health or religious reasons. I once watched a video where they said that our body sometimes develops diseases that have no cure, but fasting can help heal them. Fasting has a significant impact on our health. I believe that every person should fast, and I also try to do it at least once a week. It is important to give your body a break, almost like shutting it down and restarting it. Even if you do it for religious purposes, it gives you a sense of faith and devotion. But apart from that, I feel that fasting should be a regular practice, at least once a week for 24 hours. It helps boost your energy levels, improves your overall health, and even helps you live longer.”
