Om Namah Shivay!! It is Mahashivratri today, a festival that is celebrated all over India with great fervor. Maha Shivratri is a very important festival celebrated by Hindus, particularly the followers of Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the 14th New Moon of Maagha and Phalgun month according to the Hindu calendar. Followers visit Shiv temples and bath the idol of Lord Shiva and follow rituals to please the lord.

Mythical stories associated with Maha Shivratri

There are different stories based on different puranas which associate to Maha Shivratri. Some of these stories are mentioned here.

• According to a few books, Maha Shivratri is the night when Lord Shiva performed the Tandava.
• Based on a few other puranas, it is believed that Lord Shiva drank “halahal” or poison on this day, and was known as Neelkantha then after.
• Some believe that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this auspicious day.

Rituals followed on Maha Shivratri

Devotees begin the day by worshipping the Lingam of Lord Shiva in temples. They bath the lingam with milk, water, curd, honey and ghee. Leaves of Bel fruit are then placed on the Lingam with flowers and other fruits such as Dhatura. Then after, sandalwood paste is applied on the worshipped lingam. Incense sticks or ghee lamps are burned and hymns are recited. The worship is then concluded with Lord Shiva’s Aarti.

Food and Fasting

The festival holds great importance for both, married and singe people. Also known as Bhoolenath, Lord Shiva is known to fulfill the desires of all his devotees and this is one of the main reasons why the festival is celebrated by people of all Hindu castes.

People fast for the whole day on Maha Shivratri. They start the day by worshiping the lingam of Lord Shiva. Temples are flooded by devotees who follow rituals and offerings to the temples.

People eat saatvik food such as sabudana khichdi and thandai (bhang). Devotees also wear Rudraksh beads on this day. According to mythological stories, rudraksh beads are believed to have been originated from Lord Shiva’s tears.

It is believed that simply by worshipping the lingam after a bath helps devotees achieve the blessings of Lord Shiva and moksha. All sins are forgiven and spirituality is awakened. So, with a clear heart and soul, worship Lord Shiva on this Maha Shivratri and be blessed all your life.