Mahashivratri 2024: Why Is Mahashivratri Celebrated? Know The Story And Importance

To fulfill her wish, Parvati started a rigorous penance.

During her penance she lived in the forest for many years and followed strict rules, giving up food and water, and subsisting only on fruits and herbs. While performing penance, Parvati sought advice from Narada Muni about how to please Lord Shiva. Narad Muni advised her to worship and meditate on Lord Shiva with devotion. Parvati followed Narad Muni’s advice.

Pleased with Parvati’s penance, Lord Shiva decided to test her. He went to her disguised as a monk and asked her for food. Parvati gave whatever she had to hungry stranger. Pleased with her devotion and generosity Lord Shiva now revealed his true form to Parvati. Lord Shiva agreed to marry Parvati and make her his wife. In the presence of gods and sages, the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati took place in a grand ceremony.

Importance of their Marriage
The marriage of Bholenath and Mother Parvati is a symbol of love, devotion and dedication. This marriage shows that God is kind to those devotees who worship Him with a true heart. After marriage, Maa Parvati started living with Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash.

Different versions of the tale
There are many versions of the story regarding the marriage of Bholenath and Maa Parvati. In some versions, Parvati is depicted in a previous life as Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva.

There are many more stories of Mahashivratri which are popular, of which the two most famous ones are:

1. Story Of The Hunter and the Deer
Once upon a time there was a hunter named Chitrabhanu. He was indebted to a moneylender. When he could not repay the loan, the moneylender imprisoned him in a Shiva temple. Coincidentally that day was Mahashivratri. In the prison, the hunter stayed awake the whole night chanting the name of Lord Shiva. Next morning, when he went hunting in the forest, he saw a family of deer.