Maha Shivratri 2024: Why is Maha Shivratri celebrated?

Mahashivratri is on 8th March. The holy festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated with great pomp in India. On this day, devotees observe fast, go to the temple and offer fruits and flowers to Lord Shiva and offer milk and water on the Shivalinga. On the day of Mahashivratri, there is a rush of devotees in all the Shiva temples across the country. On this day, people consider themselves blessed by having darshan of Bholenath and consecrating Shivalinga. But do you know why Mahashivratri is celebrated? In such a situation, let us know.

Mahashivaratri 2024: Why is Mahashivaratri celebrated?

There are many stories prevalent regarding the celebration of Mahashivratri. According to Bhagwat Purana, during the churning of the ocean, flames of terrible poison rose from the mouth of Vasuki Naga and they mixed in the ocean and appeared in the form of poison. These flames of poison spread across the sky and started burning the entire world. After this all the gods, sages and sages went to Lord Shiva for help. After this Lord Shiva drank that poison. From then onwards he came to be known as Neelkanth. All the gods praised Shiva throughout the night in the moonlight for Shiva to bear this great calamity and for the peace of the poison.

According to another belief, once there was a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu as to who was the elder among the two. The situation became such that both the Gods declared war using their divine weapons. After this there was an outcry all around. On the request of the gods and sages, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Jyotirlinga to end this dispute. This penis had neither a beginning nor an end. Seeing this Linga, both Brahma and Vishnu could not understand what it was. After this, Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar and descended downwards while Brahma took the form of a swan and flew upwards to know from where this Linga started and where it ended.

When neither of them got success, both of them worshiped Jyotirlinga. Meanwhile, the sound of 'Om' was heard from it. Both Brahma and Vishnu were surprised. After this he saw that on the right side of the Linga there was Aakar, on the left side there was Ukar and in the middle there was Makar. Akar was shining like the sun, Ukar was shining like fire and Makar was shining like the moon and in those three functions Lord Shiva was seen like pure crystal. Seeing this wonderful scene, Brahma and Vishnu became very happy and started praising Shiva. Shiva was pleased and blessed both of them with unwavering devotion. When Shiva first appeared in the Jyotirlinga it was celebrated as Mahashivratri.

According to another legend, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati met on Mahashivratri. On the date of Phalgun Chaturdashi, Lord Shiva gave up renunciation and married Goddess Parvati and entered household life. For this reason, the festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated every year on Phalgun Chaturdashi date to celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. On this day, Shiva devotees take out procession of Lord Shiva at many places on Mahashivratri.