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Why Maha Shivaratri is Celebrated?
Maha Shivaratri, which literally translates to “Great Night of Shiva“. It is a famous Hindu festival largely celebrated in India as well as in Nepal. The celebration usually falls on the 13th Night/ 14th Day of the month of Phalguna (February or March) every year marking the arrival of the spring season.
There are many interesting mythological stories pertaining to the celebration of Maha Shivaratri.
Shivaratri is celebrated to mark the day when the Lord saved the world from destruction. As per the Hindu mythology, when the ocean was churned (Samudra Manthan), a pot of poison emerged. The gods and the demons believed that the poison would cause destruction to the entire world. In that situation, Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison to save the world. However, the Lord held the poison in his throat instead of swallowing it. And the Lord’s throat turned blue due to the poison’s effect.
According to another legend, this is the night when Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati got married.
It is also believed that Lord Shiva manifested Himself in the form of “Lingodbhav Moorti” (I.e.), He took the form of Shiva Linga during the midnight of Maha Shivaratri and so this is the reason why the devotees of Lord Shiva keep vigil at night and offer prayers to the Lord.
According to one another legend in the Shaivism tradition, this is the night when Lord Shiva performs the heavenly dance (Rudhra Thandavam) of Creation, Preservation, and Destruction.
Though there are various legends related to the auspicious festival of Maha Shivaratri, these are all similar in one sense. They all throw light on the greatness of Lord Shiva and His supremacy over all other Hindu Gods and Goddesses. It marks the celebration of overcoming darkness and ignorance in the world.
It is strongly believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on this day would bestow the devotees with happiness and prosperity in their lives.
