Website design By BotEap.comLord Shiva is considered to be the third god of the trinity. It possesses the power of destruction and purification of the world. It is after this destruction that Lord Brahma begins creation once more. For believers in the Lord, he is the supreme power in this universe. Devotees believe that he can be easily pleased, but also easily angered. His name means kind, auspicious and funny. He is also known to be very sincere with his wife Sati and later with Parvati.

Website design By BotEap.comLord Shiva and Sati

Website design By BotEap.comThe goddess Sati was the daughter of King Daksha and the wife of Lord Shiva. Once, Daksha conducted yagna without inviting Lord Shiv and Sati. But Sati wanted to attend the yagna and went to her father’s kingdom. Arriving there, Sati could not bear the ignorant mentality and insult of her father so she blew herself up in the yagnakunda. Hearing this, Lord Shiv became enraged and began to perform Rudra Tandava, carrying the body of Sati. Due to the fire of his third eye, the Yaksha realm was annihilated. To calm him down, Lord Vishnu cut off Sati’s body and threw it to the ground. The twelve places where his body parts fell were later known as Shakti Peethas.

Website design By BotEap.comLord Shiva and Parvati

Website design By BotEap.comAfter Sati’s immolation, Shiv began the life of an ascetic. But Sati was born as Parvati as the daughter of Himavan. When Parvati grew old, she learned of her previous birth as Sati and began tapas to please Shiv and reunite with him. Parvati tried many ways to please Shiv, but she stood her ground.

Website design By BotEap.comParvati took the help of Kamadeva, the Lord of love. He tried to hit Shiva with a love arrow. He became angry and reduced Kamadeva to ashes with his powerful third eye. Later, at the request of Rati, Kamadeva’s wife, Shiv revived Kamadeva. Parvati, steadfast in pleasing Lord Shiv, began a severe penance. Soon, due to the devotion of Parvati and the truthfulness and compulsion of the sages, Lord Shiv married her in the month of Phalguna, one day before Amavasya. This night is known as Mahashivaratri, the night of Shiv.

Website design By BotEap.comMahashivaratri

Website design By BotEap.comMahashivaratri is being observed even today by Lord Shiv’s devotees all over the world. They observe the night watch and fasting during this festival and also visit some of the important shrines.

Website design By BotEap.comAnother version of the Mahashivaratri legend says that Goddess Parvati had made severe tapas to destroy any evil forces that might harm her husband. It is believed that she prayed for her husband’s long life on the moonless day of the month of Phalguna. Continuing this tradition, women also make poojas and offer prayers to Lord Shiva, the ideal husband, wishing him good health and a long life.