Festival of Mahashivaratri and worshipping of Shivalinga is mention in ancient scriptures with various methods. There are many stories related to this festival. The most famous story is of hunter. Who unknowingly dropped Bel leaves on Shivlinga and received salvation. It is believed that lord Shiva was originated in form of Rudra from lord Brahma in the midnight. In the Pradosh Kaal, while performing Tandav, lord Shiva would have destroyed the whole universe with his third eye.

When the whole universe was in darkness, Parvati performed meditation with full and devotion. Lord Shiva was pleased and said Parvati to ask for a boon. She said that whoever will worship lord on this day will get all wishes fulfilled. It is believed, festival of Shivratri had begun by the boon of Parvati Mata.

Sagar Manthan Story

It is believed that Kalketu poison came out during Sagar Manthan. To save the whole universe, lord Shiva drank the poison. By this, his throat became blue in color. And, so he got he name Neel Kanth. According to the scriptures, this day is celebrated as Maha Shivaratri. Some people celebrate this day as the marriage of lord Shiva and Parvati. But, mostly people believe the day lord Shiva’s descent on earth in form of Shivlinga is known as Mahashivaratri.

According to the Hindu Calendar, new year is began after the Falgun Masa. There is a change of season. Atmosphere is filled with intoxication. Influence of Kamdev is spread in every direction. Therefore, performing Puja on Chatudashi of Falgun Krishna Paksha is considered a Maha Vrat. And, slowly day got a name called Mahashivaratri.

Brahma Vishnu Dispute Story

There are many stories about Maha Shivaratri , according to ancient scriptures. Once lord Vishnu and Brahma had a debate about who is supreme among them. Both of them said themselves to be supreme. Hearing this, lord Shiva appeared in form of a Linga. this Shivlinga came in a pillar of light or beacon. Lord Vishnu and Brahma started search the details of this Shivalinga. But, they could not know anything about it.

Brahma tried taking the path of dishonesty. This act of his made lord Shiva angry and so, he cut down the 5th head of lord Brahma. Cooling down the anger of lord Shiva was a difficult task. So, lord Vishnu worshipped Shiva Ji. After a long time, this mediation pleased lord Shiva. The day he was pleased is celebrated as Mahashivaratri.

King Chitrabhanu Story

A story about Mahashivaratri is related to king Chitrabhanu. Ikshvaku dynasty had a ruler named Chitrabhanu. He used to worship lord Shiva. Once RIshi Ashtavakra came to meet him. Rishi saw Chitrabhanu performing Puja with his family. Rishi got eager to know about that Puja. Rishi asked the king “whom were you worshipping with such an engrossed attention?

What will be achieve through this Puja?” King replied, “I know everything about my past birth. The fast of lord Shiva which I am observing today was observed by me in my last life as well. By the virtues of fasting, I received this kingdom in this life.” Unkownling king got the fruits of his past life worship. Hence, he worship lord Shiva on the day of Shivaratri.

Shivlinga Worship Story

Lord Shiva descended in form of Shivalinga on the day of Mahashivaratri. Worshipping Shivalinga on the day of Mahashivaratri has different mythological significance and story. The story is as follows. Once, Prajapati Daksha organised a Yagya and invited all kings and deities, but, he did not call husband of Sati (Parvati). Knowing this, Sati burnt herself in the fire of this Yagya and died.

On the death of Mata Sati, lord Shiva became angry and started doing Tandav on earth in a naked form and started roaming on earth. Once, he reached the village of Brahmans. Brahmanis got fascinated by seeing this form of lord Shiva. On this, the Brahmans became angry and cursed him. As a result, lord Shiva’s Linga separated from his body and fell on earth. The weight of Linga was unbearable for earth. This incident created chaos in all the three Loks.

When the situation became worse, all god and Rishis reached lord Brahma for help. God Brahma came to knew the reason behind this incident. He went to lord Shiva with everyone. Lord Brahma worshipped Shiva and requested him to wear his Linga back. So, lord Shiva said that if everyone worship my linga then only he shall wore it back. On this, lord Brahma created a Shivlinga of gold and performed a systematic Puja. Later, all deities, Rishi, Muni created Shivlinga with different substance and worshipped it.

According to this legend, worshipping of Shivlinga had begun from that time. It is believed, a place where Shiva Linga is worshipped, changes into a pilgrimage. A person receives Shiva Lok if, he dies at a place where Shivlinga is worshipped always. Just by chanting the word ‘Shiva’, sins of a normal person are cancelled.