Edited By: Pragati Bhandari
The Wedding of Shiva and Parvati One popular mythological story associated with Mahashivratri is the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to the legend, Goddess Parvati performed intense penance to win the love of Lord Shiva. Pleased with her devotion, Shiva agreed to marry her on the moonless night of Mahashivratri.
Samudra Manthan Another story linked to Mahashivratri is the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) by gods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality (amrita). During this cosmic event, a pot of poison (halahala) emerged, threatening to destroy the world. Lord Shiva came to the rescue and drank the poison, saving the universe. The day he consumed the poison is believed to be Mahashivratri.
The Emergence of Shiva Linga It is said that on Mahashivratri, Lord Shiva manifested in the form of a linga (an iconic representation) to demonstrate that He is formless, yet omnipresent. Devotees believe that worshiping the Shiva Linga on this day brings spiritual blessings and fulfillment of wishes.
The Tale of Bhasmasura Bhasmasura, a demon, performed severe penance to obtain a boon from Lord Shiva, which granted him the power to turn anyone to ashes by placing his hand on their head. However, Bhasmasura soon turned against Shiva, attempting to use his powers on the deity. Lord Vishnu intervened, taking the form of Mohini, a captivating enchantress, and tricked Bhasmasura into using his power on himself. This event is associated with Mahashivratri.
The Story of Ganga's Descent Mahashivratri is also believed to be the day when Goddess Ganga descended to the Earth from the matted locks of Lord Shiva. King Bhagirath had sought Shiva's help to bring the sacred Ganga to cleanse the ashes of his ancestors. Shiva allowed Ganga to flow through His locks, and her descent to the Earth is commemorated on Mahashivratri.
The Night of Cosmic Dance (Tandava) According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is considered the Lord of Dance, and His cosmic dance, known as the Tandava, symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction. Mahashivratri is believed to be the night when Shiva performs the Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss, to maintain the rhythm of the universe.