Thus goes the story behind the celebration of Maha Sivarathri!
During the Samudra Madhanam by Gods and demons, a poison that could have wiped out the entire creation, came out of the ocean. And at this time Lord Shiva consumed this poison to protect the beings. As soon as Goddess Parvathy came to know about this, she ran ahead and held the throat of Siva so that the poison wouldn’t be consumed and as a result Siva's throat became blue. A snake was placed around Lord’s neck to cool the effect of the poison. Goddess Parvathy and all the other Gods and Devaganas stayed awake the whole night to confirm that the poison did not affect Lord Siva.
According to the Vedas Shivratri symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. There is also a belief that Shivratri is the night when Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya - the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. The day is celebrated in a customary manner wherein devotees pour milk to the Lingam and the night is spent by chanting verses and hymns in praise of the Lord. The festival holds special meaning for the ladies as they pray to Goddess Parvati for good husbands, marital bliss and a long and prosperous married life.
The twelve Jyotirlingas (lingams of light) are the sacred places of worship of Lord Shiva. They are known as "Swayambhus", meaning that the lingams sprung up by themselves at these places and temples were built there afterwards.
The Three eyes of Lord Shiva are depicted as the Sun (right eye), the Moon (left eye) and Fire (third eye). The two eyes on the Right and Left indicate His activity in the physical world and the Third eye in the centre of the forehead symbolizes spiritual knowledge and power, and is hence called the eye of Wisdom or Knowledge.
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