Thread by @VandanaJayrajan

Maha Shivaratri is also called Night of Awakening. The day before the Amavasya (new moon) of each lunar month is called Shivaratri. It is the day Lord Shiva was married to Maa Parvati. Maha Shivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the ′Tandava′.
#HarHarMahadevॐ

Among all the Shivaratris of the year, the one that falls in the lunar month of Magha in Feb-March each year is considered to be most auspicious. As per Hindu calendar Maha Shivaratri is observed on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha every year on the month of Falgun.

It marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Of the twelve Shivaratris in the year, the Maha Shivaratri is the most holy. Mahashivarathri has many symbolisms and stories attached to it. Among householders, it is considered the night when Shiva married Parvati.

For spiritual seekers, this is the day when Shiva merged with Mount Kailash.
In yoga, Shiva is not considered to be a God. He is seen as the Adi Guru or first Guru and the Adiyogi or first yogi. He is seen as the spine from which all spiritual knowledge on the planet originated.

His first seven disciples were the Saptarishis, the celebrated seven sages, to whom he transmitted the yogic sciences. The Saptarishis took this knowing to all corners of the planet, sowing the seeds for the spiritual process.

The planetary positions on the night of Maha Shivaratri are such that in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet, a powerful upsurge of energy can be experienced by those who stay awake with their spine erect throughout the night. This is why one is advised to stay awake all night.

All through the day, devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya", a sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva. Penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's highest good steadily and swiftly.

The benefits of powerful ancient Sanskrit Mantras such as Maha Mrityunjaya increase greatly on this night. On Maha Shivratri, Nishita Kala is the ideal time to observe Shiva Pooja. Nishita Kala celebrates when Lord Shiva appeared on the Earth in the form of Linga.

On this day, in all Shiva temples, the most auspicious Lingodbhava Puja is performed. The legends signify that this day is the favorite of Lord Shiva and also throws light on his greatness and the supremacy of Lord Shiva over all other Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

As per legend of Samudra manthan, Shiva saved the world from the disastrous effects of a poison that emerged as a by product of the churning of the sea by consuming the whole poison. Shiva could arrest the poison in his throat by his Yogic powers and it didn't go down his throat.

His neck turned blue due to the effect of the poison on his throat and henceforth he is also known as Neela Kantha. Another version of the tale relates that the world was facing destruction and Goddess Parvati prayed to Lord Shiva to rescue it.

After earth's creation was complete, Parvati asked Shiva which devotees and rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phagun, is his favorite day.

Parvati repeated these words to Her friends, from whom the word spread to all creation. Shiva, as the God of destroying evil, is the third among the divine trinity. Shiva's holy mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय which praise Lord Shiva, is chanted incessantly on Maha Shivaratri.

Shiva's thousands of names, each describing His greatness, may also be chanted. Shiva means "auspicious". As Shankara, He is the giver of happiness to all. Nataraja is a favourite form of Lord Shiva. According to Puranas, the Kailasa peak of the Himalayas is the abode of Shiva.

And he bears the Ganges on His head. As the Lord of creatures, He is metaphorically called the Pashupathi (with Nandi, the bull) and His fearless nature is captured by the title of Sarpabhushana.
#HappyShivratri 🙏🥀
#HarHarMahadevॐ