Why shivratri is celebrated in India?

Answer 1

Mahashivaratri falls on the 13th (or 14th) day of the dark half of Phalgun (February-March). The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati on this day. When creation had been completed, Shiva and Parvati went out to live on the top of Mount Kailas. Parvati asked, "O venerable Lord! which of the many rituals observed in Thy honour doth please Thee most?" The Lord replied, "The 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phalgun, is my most favourite day. It is known as Shivaratri. My devotees give me greater happiness by mere fasting than by ceremonial baths and offerings of flowers, sweets and incense. "The devotee observes strict spiritual discipline in the day and worships Me in four different forms during each of the four successive three-hour periods of the night. The offering of a few bael leaves is more precious to Me than the precious jewels and flowers. My devotee should bathe Me in milk at the first period, in curd at the second, in clarified butter at the third, and in honey at the fourth and last. Next morning, he should feed the Brahmins first and, after performing the prescribed ceremonies, he can break his fast. O Parvati! there is no ritual which can compare with this simple routine in sanctity." Shastras [traditional Indian scriptures] attribute the origin of Mahashivaratri [the night dedicated to Shiva] to various stories. Some ascribe the holiness of this day to its being the birthday of Lord Shiva. The Lord being the one without a beginning or an end can, in reality, have no birthday. Another story commemorates the salvation attained by a hunter who sat on a bilva tree on the look-out for animals to kill, and without any intention to worship, unknowingly dropped some of its leaves on a Linga that lay beneath. This story, however, does not make clear why this day is specially sacred. Another story describes this occasion as the night on which Shiva danced the Taandava [cosmic dance] in the ecstasy of His innate nature, with all the Gods and Sages sharing and witnessing that cosmic consummation. When He consumed the Haalahala [poison] that emerged from the churning of the ocean and threatened to destroy the universe. The heat of the fumes were unbearable, even for Him. So, Ganga flowed uninterruptedly on His matted locks; but, that gave Him only partial relief. (It is for this reason that abhishekam [ritual bathing ceremony] is performed on Shiva regularly. The ritual pouring of water, it is said, is very pleasing to the Lord.) The Moon was placed on the head. That was of great help. Shiva, then, danced the Taandava with all the Gods and Sages. All this, it is said, happened on the same night and so, Mahashivaratri, was held in commemoration of this occasion. 1 Reference http://www.dlshq.org/religions/shivaratri.htm http://www.omsaimandir.org/significance_of_mahashivaratri.cfm