How to Worship Lord Shiva on Maha Shivaratri

This year Maha Shivarathri is being celebrated on 2nd March, Wednesday. Many people across the country will keep fasting and performs Jagran on this auspicious day for the blessings of Lord Shiva. There are several stories which relate to the celebration of festival. Some people believe that Shivarathri marks the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi while others believe that at the time of Samudra Manthan, Lord Shiva consumed poison on this day in order to protect the world.

One story which illustrates the rituals of Shivarathri and also tells us the importance of truth. In olden days, there lived a hunter named Gurudruha. He use to lead his family by hunting the animals in forest. One day he did not find any animal in the forest, so he decided to stay there at night. Accidentally, this also marks the festival of Shivarathri. There was a Bili Tree where he climbed and sat on it. Below the tree, there was a Shivalinga. At 1′o clock, he unknowingly dropped some bili leaves and the water (which he took for drinking) on Shivalinga. Later at 2′ o clock, doe (lady deer) came there for drinking water near the lake. While hunting for the deer, some more bili leaves and water fell on Shivalinga.

Noticing the sound, the doe requested the hunter to allow her to meet children, after which she would return. Then, the hunter asked, How could I believe that you will return again? Then she replied,’ I promise on the truth that I will definitely return’. Finally, the hunter agreed to send the deer.

At 3′ clock, lady deer’ s sister came there to drink water. Again, while hunting some bili leaves and water fell on Shiva Linga. Lady deer’s sister also pleaded him to give permission to meet her family and children. She also wins the trust of hunter by promising on the truth and went from there.

After sometime, another deer (Lady deers husband) came there in search of his wives. The hunter again dropped bili leaves and water on Shivalinga while aiming the arrow at that stag (male deer). The deer also took permission from hunter and went off.

All the three deers met at one place. They have decided to hand over their children to other deers, but the children wanted to come with their parents. Finally, all of them came to hunter. But, looking at the purity and such a truth among wild animals, made him feel guilty. So, he decided to stop hunting. The Puja which he did unknowingly eradicated all his sins and purifies his heart. Suddenly, Lord Shiva appears there and granted a boon,’You shall be born as Guhan, as a friend of Lord Rama in next life’.

So, one should worship the Shiva with Bili leaves and water at 4′ o clock along with fasting and jagran on Shivarathri day for the blessings of Almighty.

How to Worship Lord Shiva on Maha Shivaratri