MAHASHIVARATRI (SHIVARATRI) - SHIVA NIGHT ON FEBRUARY 19, 2023

The Maha Shivaratri Mahashivaratri is one of the most significant Vedic holidays, and traditionally, a festive ceremony (yajña) is held all night in honor of Shiva. Traditionally, they also fast all night (from sunset to sunrise the next day).

One legend about Shivaratri from the Linga Purana says that it was on such a night that Shiva appeared before Brahma and Vishnu in the form of an endless Lingam. (source).

There are many stories that speak of the greatness of this day.

One day a man in the jungle was very tired. When evening came, the tiger began to chase him. Running away from the tiger, the man climbed a tree.

It was a Bilba tree (source). The tiger was sitting under a tree, waiting for the man to come down. And the man was sitting on a tree branch trying not to fall asleep. To ward off sleep and do something, he plucked leaves from the tree and threw them down. Below the tree was Shiva Lingam.

The whole night went by like that. Shiva was happy with the fasting and pujas that man and Tiger were doing without even knowing it. Shiva was happy with the fasting and pūjā that man and Tiger were doing without even knowing it.

He became very favorable. Shiva gave the man and the tiger Moksha and enlightenment.