Maha Shivratri 2015: Why is it Celebrated?

Facts about this

Auspicious Day Dedicated to Lord Shiva [PHOTOS]
February 16, 2015 12:05 IST
By Sushmita Sen
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Hindu devotees place their offerings on a Shivling (a symbol of
Lord Shiva) while praying inside a temple on the occasion of the
Mahashivratri festival in Agartala, capital of India's
northeastern state of Tripura
Hindu devotees place their offerings on a Shivling (a symbol of
Lord Shiva) while praying inside a temple on the occasion of the
Mahashivratri festival in Agartala, capital of India's
northeastern state of TripuraReuters
A sadhu smokes marijuana on premises of Pashupatinath Temple
during the Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu.
A sadhu smokes marijuana on premises of Pashupatinath Temple
during the Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu.Reuters
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Auspicious Hindu festival Maha Shivratri, which falls on 17
February this year, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated
with religious fervour by devotees.

Maha Shivratri is observed on the 13th night/14th day of the

11th Hindu month of Phalguna or Maagh (February-March) every

year.

There are various interesting mythological stories about why

Shivratri is celebrated. One such story is that the formless God
appeared in the form of 'Lingodbhav Moorti' at midnight on Maha
Shivratri and this is said to be the reason why devotees stay
awake at night and offer prayers to the Lord.

Thousands of devotees take a holy dip at various pilgrim

destinations on this occasion. From early morning, devotees form
long queues in various temples in India to offer prayers and also
witness the Rudra Abhishekam of the Almighty. The day is also
observed with devotees smearing their bodies with ash.

Devotees also celebrate the festival by fasting and offering

special prayers to Lord Shiva, the god of creation and
destruction.

Maha Shivratri is not just celebrated in India but also in other

regions including Nepal, where Lord Shiva is worshipped.

As devotees pray to the Lord, they chant "Om Namah Shivaya!"

throughout the night.

There are few intriguing facts about this auspicious occasion.

To start with, Maha Shivratri is said to be the day when Lord

Shiva married Goddess Parvati. Thus, the day is the union of
Shiva and Shakti, the two greatest forces of the Universe.
Shivratri night means a lot to unmarried women who worship to
get a husband like Lord Shiva. Also, devotees worship to achieve
success and to drive away evil spirits.
It is believed that Hindu devotees stay awake all night to give
company to God Shiva, who was not supposed to fall sleep after
drinking the ocean poison after Samudra Manthan.