ABOUT MAHASIVARATHRI

AUM SRI SAI RAM AUM SRI SAI RAM

Mahasivathri is celebrated every year on the 14 th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Phalguna in the Hindu Calender.It is celebrated by offering Bilva Pathra to Lord Siva ,all day fasting and all night long vigil.There are so many legends in connection with origin of Sivaratri.One of the generally accepted ones is as follows.
During the Samudra Manthan by Gods and demons , a poison came out of ocean. It was so poisonous that it would wipe out the entire world. At this juncture on the advice of Lord Vishnu, the gods approached Mahadev and prayed to save the lives. Pleased with the prayer Lord Siva drank the entire poison and held it in his neck by binding it with a snake.The throat became blue and Lord Siva is also Known as Neelakanta due to this and Lord Siva remained unharmed . This incident shows that Lord Siva who may be described as Divine Destroyer is also the Divine Protector.
Siva temples remain open throughout the night on this occasion and people throng the temples to offer prayers even at night. It is said that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Siva on this day is absolved of all his sins and attains salvation