In this year of 2018 we are going to celebrate Mahashivratri on 13th February but do you know why we celebrate it and what is the significance of Shivratri? There are many stories related with ‘Mahashivratri’. Check out it below.

Why Hindus Celebrate Mahashivratri?

1. The Hunter             

There was a hunter named Chitrabhanu in the past. He was killing animals to earn for his family. He was indebted to a moneylender, but his loan was not repaid on time.

Hunter made prisoner by a moneylender in Shivmath. Incidentally, it was Shivaratri day. Hunter being immerse heard the Shiva-related religious talk. He heard the story of Shivaratri fast on Chaturdashi.

By evening the moneylender called him to talk about the loan. Hunter left and promised to pay the next day to return the entire loan. Like his routine, he went for hunting in the forest. He was very hungry.

By evening he decided to spend the night in the forest. He looked forward to the end of the night by climbing a tree.

There was a Shivlingha under Bilwa tree was covered with Bilva leaves. To trap the deer for his food hunter started throwing leaves of a tree on the ground. But somehow hunter couldn’t kill deers who were going across that tree. His heart got melt because of sacrifice and love of deer’s family and he left all them alive yet he and his family were hungry.

Satisfied with the Bilva leaves and the persistence of the hunter, it is trusted that Lord Shiva showed up before the hunter and favoured him with insight. From that day onwards, the hunter quit eating meat.

2. Wedding of Shiva and Parvati

Some people also celebrate Mahashivratri as a wedding anniversary of Shiv and Parvati. Shiva devotees decorate temples with flowers and worship Lord Shiva.

3. Neelkantha

It is also said that while churning of an ocean, gods and demons got some objects where there was a poison pot too. To save universe Shiva drank that poison. Poison didn’t hurt Shiva but his neck turned blue. From that day Shiva got the name ‘Neelkantha’.

People also celebrate believing this legendary.

How Hindus Celebrate Mahashivratri?

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu celebration which is praised by people following Hinduism in India. In the evening of Shivratri, they sing songs and praises Lord Shiva.Bilva leaves, cool water, and milk are offered to the Shiva Lingam on this day as they are accepted to be Lord Shiva's favourite things.

It is trusted that the people who fast on this day and offer Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva bring good fortunes into their life. The most famous Maha Shivratri festivities occur in Ujjain, accepted to be the place of a home of Lord Shiva.

It is believed that Shiva performs a heavenly dance on Mahashivratri. On this day Shiva devotees organize annual dance festivals in Hindu temples Konark, Khajuraho, Pattadakal, Modhera, and Chidambaram. Classical dancers perform a different form of Shiva’s dances like ‘Tandava’ and ‘Lasya’.