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SHIVRATRI
Maha Shivratri is one of many Hindu festivals. It falls on the 14th night of the new moon during the month of February/March. This year, Shivratri falls on March 6, 2008. Shiva is the God of Destruction. "Shivratri" literally means "The night of the Lord Shiva".
Shiva is one of the Gods in the Hindu Trinity, comprising of Brahma, the Creator; Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva, the Destroyer and Re-Producer of life.

Shiva has many names: Shankar, Mahesh, Bholenath, Neelakanth, Shambhu Kailasheshwar, Umanath, and Nataraj.
LEGEND OF SHIVARATRI
According to one Purana, or legend story, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The poison was capable of destroying the entire world. The Gods and demons ran to Shiva for help. Shiva drank the poison to protect the world, but he held it in his throat. This made his throat turn blue. Shivratri is a celebration of how Shiva saved the world.
After creation of the Universe, Shiva lived on top of Mount Kailash with Parvati, a Goddess and his wife. They are said to have been married on Shivratri. The Goddess asked Shiva to pick his favorite day when Shiva's devotees could perform rituals for him. Lord Shiva picked out the 14th night of the new moon, and this day is Shivrathri.
He outlined how his devotees should worship him on that day. Shiva asked his devotees to offer him Bael or Bilva leaves, which were more precious to him than jewels and flowers. It is said that the God Lakshmi resides in them. He outlined 4 periods of worship. These 4 periods are throughout the night, when he wanted the symbol of Shiva, the Shivalinga to be washed every 3 hours. He wanted to be bathed in milk during the first period and curd in the second; then in butter in the third and honey in the fourth and last period. During the bathing period, the devotees continue to chant the Panchakshara' Mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya". On the next day, Shiva wanted his devotees to feed the Brahmins first, and only then could they break their fast.
Goddess Parvati was impressed in hearing Shiva outline his worship. She spoke to all her friends, and word quickly spread all over the universe. People all over began celebrating Shivrathri.
According to one myth, Parvati meditated on this day to ward off any evil that may befall her husband on the moonless night. Some devotees consider the Mahashivaratri to be an auspicious occasion for women to pray for the well-being of their husbands and sons. Unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to

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