MAHA SHIVARATRI – 26TH FEBRUARY 2025 - WEDNESDAY
Maha Shivaratri is a significant Hindu festival that honors the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. Most Hindus believe that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati united by marrying on this day. People in North India celebrate the day as the wedding anniversary of Shiva and Shakti. Shiva is said to have entered into deep thought after the death of Sati. Later, Sati reincarnated as Parvati and got married to Shiva. Another story revolves around the great night of Shiva when Lord Shiva consumed poison produced during Samundra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean, as the poison was so powerful to destroy the whole world. Due to this, his throat turned blue, and he started being known as “Neelkantha,” i.e. someone with a blue throat. Another popular story says that on this night, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava, a cosmic dance that leads to destruction. One story revolves around a great devotee of Lord Shiva who unknowingly dropped thousands of Bel Tree leaves on S...