Importance of Maha Shivratri, Significance of Mahashivratri
Lord Shiva has no start and end, he is formless on the day of Maha Shivratri lord took the shape of “Lingodbhav Moorti” by his own. Maha Shivratri is not only auspicious because of his lingodbhav moorthi, today is the day lord married Devi Parvati and on this day lord became” Neelkantham” which means blue-throated (during kshir sagar of paala samudra by gods and demons, apart from amruth (nector of immortal), even kaalvish (nector of poison) originated. When the whole universe was afraid of poison spills lord came front and had poison which made his throat look blue color.) On Maha Shivratri , everyone should have a holy bath. Whoever follows the steps of doing a holy bath, fasting, abhisheka and night out will be blessed with the entry of Shiva Loka at the end of his life. Everyone should visit the temple and pray to linga Roopa and take abhisheka teertha. Meaning of upavasa is to come near, whoever does upavasa (fasting) is almost equal to going close (spirt) to Lord Shiva. On