Mahashivratri is an extremely important celebration for all Hindus who believe in the power of lord Shiva. Shiva and Shakti together mark the convergence of power, devotion and renunciation. The festival according to Hindu calendar is celebrated on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi in the month of Maagha.
People all over the country go to Shiva temples. They chant Om Namah Shivay and offer Bell Patra and white flowers to the Shiva Ling. Thousands of devotees gather together at important Shiva’s temple all over the Indian Sub-continent. Pashupati temple in Nepal is revered by Hindus from all over the world.
According to another legend, Shiva saved the world from the disastrous effects of the poison that emerged as a by-product of the churning of the Milky Ocean (Samudra Manthan), by consuming the whole of the 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 or The Blue Throated.
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