“Shankarji ki Jai” (Hail! Lord Shiva)

Lord Shiva

Today, 23 February 2009, all Hindus in India are celebrating Maha Shivratri, Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri (Night of Shiva or “Great Night of Shiva”). It is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon).

There are various Mythological legends explaining the origin of this auspicious day. Some say that….

…..during a mythological era Gods  (Devas) and Demons (Asuras) organised a Samudra Manthan (the churning of ocean) to acquire Amrita (the nectar of immortality), but before its appearance, haalaa-hala, a poison came out of the ocean, which was so toxic that it could wipe out the entire creation. Both the parties were in gave danger, so on advice of Lord Vishnu they prayed Lord Shiva. Pleased with the prayer and love for living beings Lord Shiva drank the poison but due to its intense effect something was required to cool it off so help was taken from Chandra( Moon God ) and finally a snake was placed around his neck which cooled the effect of the poison and the throat became blue, thus he got the name Neelakantha.This saga is the most common of all.

Thus follows many other stories… Read more »