Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of
Bhagwan Shiva. There are more than one stories surrounding this occasion. Here
are a few:
One is that Bhagwan Shiva married Mata Parvati on this day. So, it is a
celebration of this sacred union.
Another is that when the Gods and demons churned the ocean together to
obtain ambrosia that lay in its depths, a pot of poison emerged. Bhagwan Shiva
consumed this poison, saving both the Gods and mankind. The poison lodged in
the Bhagwan Shiva's throat, turning Him blue. To honour the savior of the
world, Shivratri is celebrated.
Also, it is believed that the formless
God Sadashiv appeared in the form of a Lingodhbhav Moorthi at midnight. Hence,
people stay awake all night, offering prayers to God.
There once lived a tribal hunter who was a Shiva devotee. One day he lost his way while hunting and was trapped in the forest at night. Soon wild animals started to gather around him and he climbed a Bel or Bilva tree. In order to keep himself awake, he started plucking Bilva leaves and dropped it down repeating ‘𝐎𝐦 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐡 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐲𝐚.’ In the morning, he discovered that he had been dropping the leaves on a Shivling. And the word spread that he was saved by Bhagwan Shiva. People started celebrating the day as Shivratri. The story is mentioned in Mahabharata by Bhishma while on the bed of arrows. The hunter was born as King Chitra Bhanu who could remember his previous births. And he discussed the importance of Shivaratri with a Sage.
Devotees observe fast and meditate on
this day. They chant Om Namah Shivaya, Shiv Tandav Stotram and Kaal Bhairav
Ashtakam. They also attend Mahashivratri Puja or Rudra Puja and worship the
Shivalinga and offer Bel Patra to the Shivalinga.
