All about MahaShivaratri – The Great Night of Shiva

 

The Title Shiva Signifies to enlighten.  And, that is precisely the essence of Lord Shiva that has many names such as Mahadeva, Pashupati, Vishwanath, Nataraja, Bhava, and Bhole Nath. 

Hindu mythology, is known as the destroyer and also the inventor of the universe. 

MahaShivaratri --"The Great Night of Shiva"

The Fourteenth day of each lunar month or even two day before the moon is called Shivaratri.  Among all of the twelve Shivaratris that happen in a calendar year, Maha Shivratri, the one which happens in February-March is among the very religious importance. 

There's more than one one story behind Mahashivaratri:-

1. Thus, it's a celebration of the sacred marriage. 
2. Another is the fact that if the Gods and demons churned the sea with each other to obtain ambrosia, a pot of poison arose.  The poison introduced a danger to the entire world.  Hence Lord Shiva swallowed this toxin in order to conserve Gods and mankind.  Goddess Parvathi hold over his throat so that he do not gulp down the toxin, turning him into gloomy.  To honor the savior of the Earth, Shivaratri is celebrated. 
3. Additionally it’s believed Lord Shiva grabbed her in his matted locks, and introduced her to Earth as many flows.  This averted destruction on Earth.  
4. Also, It's considered the formless God Sadashiv appeared in the kind of a Lingodhbhav Moorthi at midnight.  

Shivaratri awakens the Inner soul and destroys most of evils in the Self.  Devotees remain awake during the night, performing pujas and prayers, seeking Divine intervention to resist against all evils.  Meditation is performed in the nighttime with the objective of achieving Self-awareness. 

When is Mahashivratri?

This year MahaShivratri is on Thursday, 11 March which is on the new moon day in the month of Maagha.

 What's the gap between Shivratri and Maha Shivratri?  ·       

• Shivratri happens every month, whereas Maha Shivratri is the fantastic night of Shiva that happens just annually. 
• The 14th day of each lunar month is called Shivratri.  So, you will find twelve Shivratris in a calendar year which happen a day ahead of the new moon. 
• Maha Shivratri, a particular day of religious importance, marks Shiva and Parvati's union

What's the meaning of Maha Shivratri? 

Combination of 2 words Shiva+Ratri, in which 'Shiva' describes Lord Shiva and Ratri signifies ‘night’ the term "Maha" in Maha Shivratri signifies "Grand". 

So, the expansive night Devoted to observe this deity is called Maha Shivratri. 

3 Silly Maha Shivratri Stories

There are a Great Deal of Fascinating stories connected to the history of Maha Shivratri, a number of them include:

Union of Shiva and Shakti -- Following the passing of Sati, the earliest Wife of Lord Shiva, he went into deep meditation and provoke acute penance. This marriage of ShivaShakti since Ardhnareshwar is renowned as Maha Shivratri. 

Samudra Manthan -- This toxin was very poisonous and had the capability to ruin the world.   He then needed to remain awake the entire night to rescue himself from the effects of the poison.   Since that time this auspicious night is celebrated because Maha Shivrati -- the night when Lord Shiva saved the entire world. 

Story of Lubdhaka -- Lubdhaka, a tribal man and a devout Worshipper of Lord Shiva went into the deep woods to collect firewood.  He dropped His manner and chose to spend the night in the jungle beneath the bilva tree.  To stay alert, he plucked the bilva leaves and maintained dropping them onto the floor while chanting Shiva's title.  By dawn, he noticed he'd dropped tens of thousands of Leaves a Shiva Lingam maintained close to the tree he'd neglected to detect at nighttime. Lord Shiva was delighted with his loyalty and blessed him.  This legend also justifies the favorite convention of offering bilva leaves into Shiva.