The Legend Associated With the Celebration of Mahashivaratri

Lord Shiva is considered to be the third deity in the trinity. He has the ability to sanctify and destroy the universe. This destruction of the world is followed by its creation by Brahma. As per worshippers, Lord Shiva is the supreme power. Shiva’s rage and pleasing character are very popular among the devotees. The meaning of the word Shiva is kind, good and cordial. People believe that Lord Shiva was loyal to his first wife Sati and afterwards to Parvati too.

Sati and Shiva

Goddess Sati was the daughter of King Daksha and wife of Lord Shiva. Sati and Shiva were not called at a yagna conducted by King Daksha. However Sati was keen in attending the yagna and started for her father’s kingdom. After reaching there, Sati could not stand the ignoring mentality and disregard from her King Daksha, so she jumped into the yagnakunda. Hearing this Lord Shiva became angry and performed Rudra Tandava, carrying the body of Sati. He destroyed the Kingdom of Daksha by opening his 3rd eye. In order to make him calm, Vishnu severed the body of Sati and threw it on earth. The 12 places on Earth where her body parts fell were later called as the Shakti Peethas.

Parvati and Shiva

After the immolation of devi Sati, Shiva led an austere life. As devi Parvati, daughter of Himavan, devi Sati again took birth. After growing old, Parvati understood about her previous life. As she wanted to unite with Shiva, she started severe tapas. Shiva did not change his mind and neglected the severe tapas of Parvati.

Parvati took the help of Kamadeva, Lord of love. He tried to strike Shiva with his arrow of love. He got angry and reduced Kamadeva into ashes with his powerful 3rd eye. Afterwards, upon the request of Rati, Kamadeva's wife, Lord Shiva revived Kamadeva. Parvati, in order to please Shiva started severe tapas. Lord Shiva got married to Parvati, due to the sincerity in her tapas and the compulsion by saints, before Amavasya in Phalguna. The night both got married is known as Mahashivaratri.

Celebration at Mahashivaratri

Devotees of Shiva across world, celebrate Mahashivaratri, even today. They stay awake all through the night and observe fasting on this festival and also visit many important temples.

As per another story, Mahashivaratri is the day when Parvati performed tapas to uproot all the bad forces that can harm Lord Shiva. People believe that she prayed for Lord Shiva’s long life on the day of moonless night in the month of Phalguna. Following this custom started by Parvati, women even today, offer prayers and conduct poojas to please Lord Shiva and wish for the long life of their spouses.

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