Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, comes on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna (February/March) when Hindus offer special prayer to lord Shiva.

 

Reasons to celebrate Maha Shivratri:


 


The absolute formless God, Shiva appeared in the form of “Lingobhav Moorti” exactly at the midnight on Maha Shivratri. That is all Shiva Devotees keep a vigil during the night of Shivratri and do “Shiva lingam abhishekham” at midnight.

 



Maha shivratri is an occasion when lord Shiva married to his Shakti Parvati. Shiva without Parvati is pure ‘Nirgun Brahman’. With his illusive power, (Parvati). He becomes the ‘Sagun Brahman’ for the purpose of the pious devotion of his devotees.



 

Many believe that Mahashivratri signifies the auspicious night when Lord Shiva performed the dance ‘Tandava’ that led to the creation, conservation and devastation of the universe.

 



According to Hindu mythology, on Maha Shivratri, Lord Shiva becomes ‘Neelkantham’ or the blue – throated by swallowing the deadly poison that came up during the churning of “Kshir Sagar” or the milky ocean. The poison was so deadly that even a single drop could destroy this entire world. Therefore, Shivratri is also a day of giving thanks to the Shiva.