This year Maha Shivaratri falls on March 11.
It is a night dedicated to the worship of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. Shivaratri is celebrated throughout India and among the Hindu population in Nepal and West Indies.
In Hindu mythology, the calendar holds some significance and the stories behind them often vary from different communities and regions.
But, why is Shivratri celebrated?
There is more than one Mahashivaratri story surrounding this occasion. Here are a few:
One is that Lord Shiva married Parvati on this day. So, it is a celebration of this sacred union.
Another is that when the Gods and demons churned the ocean together to obtain ambrosia that lay in its depths, a pot of poison emerged. Lord Shiva consumed this poison, saving both the Gods and mankind. The poison lodged in the Lord’s throat, turning him blue. To honor the savior of the world, Shivratri is celebrated.
One more legend is that as Goddess Ganga descended from heaven in full force, Lord Shiva caught her in his matted locks, and released her on to Earth as several streams. This prevented destruction on Earth. As a tribute to Him, the Shivalinga is bathed on this auspicious night.
Also, it is believed that the formless God Sadashiv appeared in the form of a Lingodhbhav Moorthi at midnight. Hence, people stay awake all night, offering prayers to the God.
The planetary positions on this night are such that there is a powerful natural upsurge of energy in the human system.
If one can stay awake and aware, in a vertical position throughout the night, it brings about physiological and inner transformational benefits which results in one’s well-being. In addition, the benefit of any yogic practices performed on this night multiply manyfold.
It is for this reason that in the yogic tradition it is said that one should not sleep on the night of Mahashivarathri.
These are some of the stories that can possibly answer why we celebrate Shivratri.