Shivratri or Maha Shivratri is celebrated in the northern region of India on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month of Hindu calendar and Magha Krishna Trayodasi / Chaturdashi as per Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh calendars.
People celebrate Shivratri to get the blessings of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasting on this day and offer prayers to Lord of destruction.
According to the Hindu puranas, Shivratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is the night when Lord Shiv is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.
It is also said that during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world so they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known as 'Nilkantha', the blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event by which Shiva saved the world.
Married women on this day, pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva.
Devotees chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" during Shivratri as they believe that by doing this they will be freed from all sins.
In USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Maha Shivratri 2011 is marked on 3 March 2011.
Here are some SMS messages for Maha Shivratri
May Lord SHIVA
BLESS You with
His Grace and Fullfill
All Your Desires.
Chant His Glories
Tonight and Enjoy
a Blissful Life
Just Keep Chanting
‘Om Nama Shivaaya’
May Lord Shiva shower his benign blessings on you and your family.
May happiness and peace surround you with his eternal love and strength.
~**~ Happy Maha Shivratri ~**~
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