Maha Shivaratri Legends – Maha Shivaratri rituals

Maha Shivaratri Legends

There are many legends related to Maha Shivaratri festivals. These legends explain the greatness of Lord Shiva. According to popular legends, Maha Shivaratri is the day on which Shiva and Parvati were married. This day is also believed to be the day on which Lord Shiva drank the poison that came out when Samudra Mathanam was taking place. The poison was going to harm all the worlds and to rescue the worlds from destruction, Lord Shiva drank the poison which changed the color of his neck. He became Neelakanta from that day.

According to another legend, Maha Shivaratri is the day on which Lingodhbhavam has taken place. Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of Linga for the first time. Abhishekam are performed on the whole night of Maha Shivaratri to please the god. It is believed that Lord Shiva gets pleased by the Abhishekam and special pujas and gives salvation to his devotees.

Maha Shivaratri rituals

Devotees celebrated Maha Shivaratri with devotion and religious fervor. Special pujas and abhishekam are performed on this day.

Shiva Abhishekam: It is said that Lord Shiva loved Abhishekam. Thus special Abhishekam are performed to Shiva Lingam on Shivaratri day in temples and houses also. According to Linga Purana, Abhishekam performed on Maha Shivaratri day is very auspicious. Bilwa leaves, Tulsi leaves should be used in the worship of Lord Shiva as Shiva is very fond of these.

Fasting: The most important ritual followed on Maha Shivaratri day is the Upavasam or fasting. It is believed that fasting lets the inner soul remembers the Lord and forgets all the worldly matters. The soul gets cleaned.

Jagaran: Jagaran is the state in which the soul and mind of the person are kept in a state of awareness. According to legends, the devotees who keep their mind clean and keep on chanting the name of Shiva on the Maha Shivaratri day are blessed by Gods.