Maha Shivaratri – The Night of Lord Shiva
Mahashivartri is observed during Magha Masa Krishna Paksha Chaturdasi tithi as per the South Indian calendar, whereas in North India it falls in the Month of Phalguna. It is celebrated to mark a remembrance of overcoming darkness and ignorance in life. On this auspicious day Lord Promised to protect the universe. Maha Shivaratri is mentioned in Several puranas like Skanda purana, Linga purana and Padma purana. According to Shaivism this is the night lord Shiva performs the dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. According to one legend this is the night lord Shiva and Parvati Mata got married. It is believed that on this day Lord Shiva gulped the Halahala produced during Samudra Manthan and beheld it in his neck bruised and turned blue, after which he named Neelkanth. Rituals Devotees wake up early in the morning and worship lord shiva. Devotees visit lord shiva temples and Special pujas are performed. In temples Rudrabhishekam is performed and Lingodbhava is observed. ...