Maha Shivaratri is considered one of the holiest festivals. It commemorates several cosmic events.
- It honors Shiva and Parvati’s marriage. Shiva married Parvati, his divine consort, for a second time on this night. It is in celebration of their divine re-union that the day is observed as the “Night of Shiva,’ Shiva signifies Purusha (mindfulness), and Parvati (Prakriti). This is a union of mindfulness and nature. It promotes creation.
- Lord Shiva was incarnated as Rudra during the midnight of Maha Shivaratri, with Brahma’s blessings.
- It is also believed that Shiva performed his cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction (Rudra Tandava), when he heard that his consort Sati (Parvati in her earlier incarnation) had leapt into the Yagna fire.
- During the churning of the ocean, Shiva drank the poison which came out of the sea. This poison could have destroyed the universe. This is the reason why Shiva has a blue neck and he is called Nilkanth (Savior of the Universe). Shivaratri is observed to honor the day for preserving the universe.
- When Brahma and Vishnu fought for supremacy, Shiva manifested as an unending pillar of light (Linga) to stop them, and establishing himself as the supreme, all-encompassing force. He is also known as Lingobhava (Divine Light).
