Maha Shivratri is the major festival celibrated by Hindus all around the world. It is celebrated annually in honor of the lord Shiva specially in Pashupatinath Area, a world heritage site from Nepal.
On the auspicious ocasion of this festival, devotees chant a sacred mantra “Om Namah Shivaaya” throughout the day.
Maha Shivratri is particularly important in the Shaivism tradition of Hinduism. It is a festival notable for its focus, fasting and meditation on lord Shiva specially by Hindu girls praying to get husband as loyal and genuine like Lord Shiva.
The festival is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Phalgun/Maagha according to the Hindu calendar. There is a Shivratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, on the month’s 13th night or 14th day. This year February 21 is the date.
The most popular story is that Maha Shivaratri is the day on which Shiva married Goddess Parvati.
Along with this, there exists a tale which associates the day “ShivaRatri” to Samudra Manthan in Hinduism. Shiva saved the world by taking the poison known as “Kalkut” and saving the world.
Another tale is that after the Earth was faced with an imminent destruction, Goddess Parvati pledged with Lord Shiva to save the world. Accepting Parvati’s prayers, Lord Shiva agreed to save the world and “Shivaratri” began to get celebrated on the occasion.
Mass crowd can be seen at most sacred shiva temple in the world starting from Chabahil, Gaushala, Gaurighat, Tribhuvan International Airport Gate and so on.