Sri Maha Shivaratri - The Night of Universal Lord Shiva. Shiva means "Auspicious". This is one of the famous festival celebrated by all Hindus in honor of Lord Shiva. The festival would be on Monday, February 23, 2009. The ceremonies mainly take place at night in all shiva temples. The legend says Lord Shiva married Parvati Ma on this occasion. On the auspicious occasion, devotees observe fast and keep vigil whole night. Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the Tandava. The devotees offer fruits, flowers and bel leaves otherwise called as Vilva leaves to Lord Shiva Linga on this day. Bel leaf is the favorite of Lord Shiva.
Legend of Maha Shivaratri
A tiger was chasing a man and the man out of fear ran and ran and finally climbed a tree and sat on its branch. He did not know the tree which he climbed was the bel (Vilva) tree. The tiger was also following the man and sat just under the tree. A Shiva Linga was available under the tree. The man out of fear started plucking the leaves (bel leaves) and dropped them one by one just below the Shiva Linga the whole night. Next day morning, Lord Shiva appeared before the man and blessed him. The man attained moksha which means soul liberation. Hence the people believed that observing fast and performing abhisekams & pujas on Shiva Linga during the Shivaratri occasion will facilitate the soul liberation.
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