Story behind Shivratri

Hi everyone, India is popularly known for its unity in diversity and of course for its unique culture. We have so many festivals in our country that we celebrate and enjoy. Sadly, most of us don't know the origin of these festivals and why we celebrate them. Each and every festival has an interesting and unique story behind it. This blog is all about them - The story behind the festival. So, Are you ready? Here we go.

As today is Maha Shivaratri, I have decided to provide you with the story behind celebrating this fest. There are several stories associated with this auspicious occasion but I have picked a few that are mostly told. So why late? Read on to find out.

Lord Shiva saved the world:

According to a story, during Samudra Manthan, a pot came out from the ocean which contained the most powerful halahala (the poison). This terrified all the gods and demons as the poison was so powerful that it could destroy all of creation. So all the gods approached Lord Shiva to protect the whole world from its evil effects. Then to protect the world, Shiva drank all of it but held the poison in his throat without swallowing it due to which his throat turned blue which is why he is known as 'Neelakhanta' (the blue-throated one). So, Shivratri is celebrated as an auspicious event because Lord Shiva saved the entire world on this day. Worshiping Lord Shiva on this day is believed to bestow one with happiness and prosperity.

The fight of Brahma and Vishnu:

According to another story in Shiv Purana, Once upon a time, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had been fighting between themselves on who was superior. At the sight of this, other gods were so scared and they went to Lord Shiva and urged him to intervene the conflict. In order to make them realize that their war was futile, Lord Shiva took the form of massive fire that had spread across the length of the universe. At the sight of magnitude, both the gods determined to find one end each to establish the supremacy over the other. So, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and headed towards up and Vishnu assumed the form of a varaha (a boar) and went down towards Earth. They both searched thousands of miles but couldn't find the end as the massive fire had no limit. On his journey, Brahma came across a Ketaki flower. He then asked Ketaki from where she was coming to which it replied that she had been held at the top of the fire as an offering. Later, Brahma took the flower as a witness and came as he could not find the end himself. This made Lord Shiva angry and he revealed his true form. As Brahma lied because he couldn't find the uppermost end, Lord Shiva punished him and cursed that no one would pray him. Also Shiva banned Ketaki flower from being used as an offering in any worship which is why it can't be used as an offering in worship though it has a high fragrance. Since it all happened on the 14th day in the dark month of Phalguna when Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga, the day is auspicious and is celebrated as Maha Shivratri.

Lord Shiva got married to Parvathi:

Another story in a popular legend shows that Shivaratri is celebrated as the wedding of Shiva to goddess Parvathi who is an avatar of Shakti. On moonless night, goddess Parvathi observed fast for her husband's good health after their marriage. This ritual is still followed by Indian women for the long life of their husbands. Shivratri is celebrated in many states of India and it is given much importance in Nepal as well. It is also believed that people who fast on this night and offer prayers to Lord Shiva bring good luck into their life.

Lord Shiva blessed a hunter:

According to this story, once upon a time, there was a hunter. When he was returning to his home, a tiger chased him. To escape from the tiger, he climbed a tree which was a Bilwa (Bel) tree whose leaves are beloved to Shiva and are used in the worship of him. On seeing the hunter on the tree, the tiger also went and sat there waiting for the hunter to come down. The hunter was terrified of the tiger and did not descend from the tree and he could not sleep. To stay awake all night, he plucked the leaves of the tree and started throwing them down one by one unaware that there was a Shivalingam under the tree. The leaves were falling upon the Shivalingam. This way, he was awake all night without knowing the fact that he worshiped Lord Shiva. In the morning, the tiger went away from there and the hunter descended from the tree slowly and he started his way towards his home. Upon reaching home, he wanted to have some food as he was awake all night and didn't eat anything. When he was about to eat, a stranger came to his home and asked for food. Then the hunter, without feeding himself though he was hungry, gave the food to the stranger. After the stranger ate to his heart's content, the hunter took his food.
This unknown devotion of the hunter pleased Lord Shiva because the hunter fasted all night and unknowingly worshiped Lord Shiva with Bilwa leaves that are dearly loved by Lord Shiva and broke his fast after serving another person. Pleased with this, Lord Shiva blessed him. Some people say that this is also a reason why we celebrate Maha Shivratri. Even today, most of the people in India wake all night on this auspicious occasion and pray for their happiness and prosperity.

So, these are a few stories related to Shivratri. Hope you guys enjoyed reading and see you next time with another interesting STORY BEHIND THE FESTIVAL.