Today is Maha-Shivratri and people celebrate this day by praying in temples and keeping a fast. But why do we celebrate Maha-Shivratri and why do we fast on this day! In this blog we are going to tell you exactly that!
Why we Celebrate Maha-Shivratri?
The festival is widely celebrated in India, Nepal and parts of West Indies too! As per the Hindu calendar, Shivratri is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagha.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the festival owes its origins to several versions, one of them being a celebration of Shiva and Parvati’s marriage to each other.
Did you know that there are rumors which say that Maha-Shivratri was the day when Lord Shiva protected the world by drinking poison from the Samudra Manthan.
This is why he was called Neelkanth as he had a blue throat due to drinking poison.
Shivratri festivities differ in various parts of India. Where in Southern Karnataka children have the leverage to indulge in mischief and then ask for punishment.
Kashmiri Brahmins celebrate Lord Shiva’s marriage to Parvati by starting the festivities 3-4 days prior to the main festival.
Why do we Fast?
While praying in temple is done a lot on the auspicious day of Maha-Shivratri, the day is also one when people fast. Th fast held is one of the most important of all fasts.
The vrata marks a very high significance for every Shiva devotee, with some opting to even go on fasting through the day without a single drop of water, majority of devotees observe a special fast consisting largely of fruits along with plenty of water and milk which keeps them hydrated.
Our scriptures say that if we successfully fast on Maha-Shivratri, Lord Shiva will bless us and absolve us of all of our sins and only positiveness will come in our lives.
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