Maha Shivratri

Om Namah Shivaya

Maha - Great Shiva - Lord Shiva Ratri - Night Maha Shivratri or Shivaratri (Night of Shiva) is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th (or 14th) day in the Krishna Paksha of the month Phalguna (February-March) in the Hindu Calender. The most significant practices on this day are offerings of Bheel (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva fasting and all night long vigil. The origin of Shivaratri is attributed to several stories in Hindu mythology as below.

Samudra Manthan During the Samudra Manthan by the gods and demons, Haalaa-Hala, a poison came out of the ocean. It was so toxic, that it’s effects would have wiped out the entire creation. At this juncture, as per the advice of Vishnu, gods approached Mahadev (Lord Shiva) and prayed to him to protect life by consuming this poison. Pleased with their prayers, out of compassion for the living beings, Lord Shiva drank this poison and held it in his throat by binding it with a snake. The throat became blue due to the poison (Thus Lord Shiva is also know as Neelakantha) and Shiva remained unharmed. The doctors advised the gods to keep Lord Shiva awake during the night as part of the therapy. To amuse Shiva and to keep him awake, the gods took turns in performing various dances and playing music. A vigil was thus kept by the gods in contemplation of Shiva. As the day broke out, Shiva, pleased with their devotion blessed them all. Since then, on this day and night - devotees fast, keep vigil, sing glories of Lord and meditate.

Assurance

After creation was complete, Parvati asked Shiva about which rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 14th night of the new moon, during the month of Phalgun, is my most favourite day. It is known as Shivaratri. Parvati repeated these words to her friends, from whom the word spread over all creation.

The Hunter

Once upon a time, a hunter worshipped Lord Shiva unknowingly on Shivaratri. He did this by dropping bheel leaves on a shiva linga at the base of a bheel tree from its branches where he was hiding and fasting all night. For this he was forgiven of all his sins. This forms the basis behind the offerings of bheel to the Lord on Shivaratri.

Measuring of Shiv Ling

Once, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma argued over each other’s prowess. However, Lord Shiva challenged both of them. He appeared as a flaming Linga and challenged the duo to measure the gigantic Linga. Lord Brahma, who took the form of a swan, and Lord Vishnu who became a boar and went to the nether regions, where both were unable to measure the Shivalinga. Then Lord Shiva came out of the Linga and declared himself the most powerful. Maha Shivratri therefore means the grand night of Shiva. The devotees of Shiva fast during this day and pray to the lord throughout the night. This legend goes to prove the supremacy of Mahadev over other Hindu Gods.

Marriage with Parvati

King Daksha, opposed Sati's marriage with Shiva. At a yagna (holy sacrifice) the king ignored Shiva’s presence and thereby insulted the latter publicly. Sati was so angered by this that she jumped into the sacrificial fire and ended her life. Lord Shiva unleashed his fury at the death of his wife by performing the violent dance, Taandav. He wiped out Daksha’s kingdom, undertook rigorous penance and retired to the Himalayas. The Gods, who feared that the severity of Shiva’s penance might bring an end to the world, revived Sati in the new avatar of Parvati. Shiva-Parvati married and this reunion is celebrated on Maha Shivratri.

Bhimashankaram	Grishneshwar	Kedarnath	Mahakalam
Mallikarjuna	Nageshwar	Omkaram	Rameshwaram
Somanath	Tryambakam	Vaidyanatham	Visvesam

Significance of Jyotirlinga: The Puranas vociferously sing the praises of the greatness of the Jyotirlingas. By reciting the name of these, one can eliminate all the sins. The Sadhaka becomes calm, chaste and pure. He becomes illuminated and enlightened with supreme and divine knowledge. The names mentioned for the benefits of all:

One who recites these 12 names regularly in the morning and evening, washes all the sins committed in his previous 7 births and attains all the powers and Siddhis.