Famous Legends connected with Mahashivratri story
Mahashivratri is a very important Hindu festival, celebrated with great respect and reverence by Lord Shiva’s devotees. It is celebrated by worshipping Lord Shiva throughout the night and observing fast in the day. Mahashivratri is celebrated on a night, just before the new moon on 13/14th day of the Krishna Paksha as per the Hindu religious calendar. Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are beautifully decorated, with countless devotees coming and paying their respects to Lord Shiva on this auspicious day.
Several legends are associated with Mahashivratri story. The most well known among all is the one related to the Samudra Manthan – the churning of the ocean done by both the Gods and the demons. The ocean spewed out a highly toxic poison which threatened to wipe out all the life present on earth. As per Lord Vishnu’s advice that only Lord Shiva can control this poison, the Gods appealed to him for help. Lord Shiva helped the Gods by drinking all the poison, but keeping it in his throat instead of gulping it down. This turned his throat in blue due to effects of the toxic poison, which made Lord Shiva known as Neelkantha.
To help him control the poison, the Gods prevented Lord Shiva from sleeping and kept him awake by singing and dancing throughout the night. At the daybreak, Lord Shiva became mighty pleased with all the Gods and blessed all of them. He also said that anyone who observes fast and worships him with pure heart on this day will have all his wishes and desires fulfilled. He also explained in detail the method of worshipping him, which is explained in the Hindu scriptures.
Another famous Mahashivratri story is marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva’s earlier wife Sati ended her life by jumping into the fire when her father King Daksha insulted Lord Shiva. As a result, Lord Shiva’s anger was uncontrollable. Not only he severely punished King Daksha, but he also punished all the Gods who were with King Daksha. He also took religious penance and retired to his mountain abode. The Gods became fearful of extinction of all life and reincarnated sati as Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati and the night of this holy reunion came to be celebrated as Mahashivratri.
In this Year Maha Shivaratri date is 20 February 2012 Monday.
Complete overview of MahaShivaratri Puja, Rudra Abhishekam, Laghu Rudra, Maha Rudram, Shiva
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