Maha Shivaratri Story |Difference between Shivaratri and Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri Story |Difference between Shivaratri and Maha Shivaratri- Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva & Mata Parvati, one of the main deities in Hinduism. This year we will be celebrate Maha Shivratri on Saturday, 18th February 2023.

It is celebrated on the new moon day in the Hindu month of Phalguna | Falguna (February/March) and is considered one of the most important festivals for devotees of Lord Shiva. 

On this day, many Hindus participate in fasting, prayer, and all-night vigils in temples, homes, and other locations. 

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Some devotees also perform the Rudra Abhishekam ritual, which involves bathing a Shiva Lingam (a symbol of Lord Shiva) with milk, yogurt, honey, and other items. 

The festival is also known as the “Great Night of Shiva” and is believed to bring blessings, peace, and prosperity to those who observe it with devotion and dedication.

The festival is also associated with the worship of Lord Shiva in his lingam form. It is believed that observing fast and performing puja on this day will bring blessings and help to overcome obstacles in one’s life.

The story of Maha Shivaratri is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva and the creation of the universe. 

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is one of the three main deities of Hinduism, along with Brahma and Vishnu. 

He is considered to be the destroyer of the universe, and is also known as the “Lord of Yoga” and the “Adi Yogi” (the first yogi).

Maha Shivaratri Story – 1

One popular legend associated with the festival of Maha Shivaratri is the story of the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati, the daughter of King Himavan, was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. 

Lord Shiva was a great ascetic who had withdrawn from the world and was in deep meditation. Goddess Parvati, the daughter of the mountain king Himavan, was deeply in love with Lord.

she had heard about the greatness of Lord Shiva and was determined to marry him. 

She decided to win his heart by performing penance and austerities for thousands of years in order to win Lord Shiva’s heart.

Finally, her devotion and determination pleased Lord Shiva, and he agreed to marry her. The gods and goddesses were thrilled with the news and decided to celebrate the divine union.

They declared that the day on which Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married would be celebrated as Maha Shivaratri. Because the wedding was arranged on the auspicious night of Maha Shivaratri.

The gods and goddesses, as well as the sages and saints, were all invited to the wedding. The wedding was celebrated with great pomp and show. The gods showered flowers from heaven, and the sages sang hymns in praise of the couple. 

Lord Vishnu, who is the preserver of the universe, gave away the bride, and Lord Brahma, who is the creator of the universe, conducted the ceremony.

After the wedding, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati settled in the Himalayas and started living together. From that day on, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated as the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are showered on those who worship them on this day.

It is said that on the night of Maha Shivaratri, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were engaged in intense love-making, and the world was blessed with divine light and energy. This night is considered to be very auspicious for worshiping Lord Shiva and gaining blessings.

It is believed that by observing fast and performing puja on this day, one can attain the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and attain spiritual enlightenment and ultimate salvation.

Thus, the festival of Maha Shivaratri holds great significance in Hinduism, and is celebrated with great devotion and reverence.

This is one version of the story, there are many more versions of the same legend and they are being passed down through generations.

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Maha Shivaratri Story – 2

One popular story associated with the festival of Maha Shivaratri is the story of the “night of Shiva.” 

According to this story, once upon a time, there was a great battle between the gods and demons. The demons were on the verge of winning, and the gods were struggling to defeat them. 

In order to save them, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu decided to seek the help of Lord Shiva. They prayed to him and asked him to take on his fierce form of “Rudra” and destroy the demons. 

Lord Shiva was pleased with their devotion and appeared before them in his fierce form. He then proceeded to destroy the demons, and the gods were victorious.

In gratitude, the gods decided to celebrate the night on which Lord Shiva appeared to them as “Maha Shivaratri” or the “Great Night of Shiva.” 

From that day on, devotees of Lord Shiva have been observing this day as a festival and offering prayers to the Lord in order to seek his blessings and protection.

Another story is about a hunter who accidentally shot a deer, but upon closer inspection realized that it was actually Lord Shiva in disguise.

Realizing his mistake, the hunter begged for forgiveness and Lord Shiva granted it, saying that anyone who remembered the story of this event on the night of Maha Shivaratri would be forgiven for their sins as well.

These stories illustrate the importance of devotion and penance, and how through devotion and devotion alone one can attain the blessings of Lord Shiva and ultimately attain salvation.

Maha Shivaratri Story – 3

Maha Shivaratri has several legends and stories associated with it, one of the most popular being the story of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

According to Hindu mythology, once there was a fierce battle between the gods and demons for the possession of a pot of immortality nectar. 

The demons, led by their king Bali, were on the verge of winning the battle and the gods were in distress. 

Lord Vishnu, who is the preserver of the universe, decided to intervene and end the battle. He approached Lord Shiva for help, who agreed to assist him on the condition that he would be worshipped on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna every year. Lord Vishnu agreed to this and together they defeated the demons.

Another popular legend is the story of King Chitrabhanu, who lived in ancient India. He had heard about the greatness of Lord Shiva and decided to observe a fast on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Lord Shiva was pleased with his devotion and appeared before him, granting him the boon of enlightenment.

Additionally, it is said that on the night of Maha Shivaratri, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya, the dance of cosmic creation and destruction. So, it is believed that this night is very auspicious for worshiping Lord Shiva and gaining blessings.

It is also said that the festival marks the day when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married.

There are many more stories and legends associated with Maha Shivaratri, but these are some of the most popular and well-known.

Difference between Shivratri and Maha Shivratri

Shivaratri and Maha Shivaratri are both festivals that are celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, but there is a difference between the two.

Shivaratri, also known as “the night of Lord Shiva,” is a Hindu festival that is observed on the 13th or 14th night of the new moon during the Hindu month of Phalguna (February/March). 

It is celebrated by performing puja (worship) to Lord Shiva and offering him bael (wood apple) leaves. It is believed that observing fast and performing puja on this day will bring blessings and help to overcome obstacles in one’s life.

Maha Shivaratri, on the other hand, is a more significant festival that is celebrated once a year and is also known as “the great night of Lord Shiva.” 

This festival is also observed on the 14th day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Phalguna (February/March) according to the Hindu calendar. 

It is considered to be one of the most important festivals in Hinduism and is celebrated with great devotion and reverence. Many people observe a fast on this day, perform puja and offer bael leaves to the Lord. 

It is also associated with the worship of Lord Shiva in his lingam form. It is believed that this day is considered to be the most auspicious day for Lord Shiva worship and that performing puja on this day will bring blessings and help to overcome obstacles in one’s life.

In summary, Shivaratri is a festival celebrated every month on the night of the new moon, while Maha Shivaratri is a more significant festival celebrated once a year on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna.

In a year we celebrate 12 Shivratri but we celebrate only one Maha Shivratri in whole year.

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