History Behind Shivaratri (शिवरातरी को पछाडि को कहानी जानौ।)

Sri Maha Shivaratri means "The Night of Shiva" as it is a festival observed in honor of Lord Shiva. One interpretation is that Shiva was married to Parvati on this day. This is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.

On Shivarati, the Divine Union takes place once more, never ever to be separated again. The above story (Siva, Sati, Parvati) is the ever recurring story of Man’s quest for the Almighty. Those days on which prayers were supposed to be conducive to Spiritual advancement were decided by the position of the stars, hence in the Hindu calendar the dates always vary. The Maha Shivratri is one such date. Some people stay awake the whole night chanting and praying.  
(Taken from http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=65951)

Tryambaka Deva, another name for Lord Siva, (literally, "three-eyed Lord"), is depicted as having three eyes: the sun is His right eye, the moon the left eye, and fire the third eye. The two eyes on the right and left indicate His activity in the physical world. The third eye in the center of the forehead symbolizes spiritual knowledge and power, and is thus called the eye of wisdom or knowledge. Like fire, the powerful gaze of Shiva's third eye annihilates evil, and thus the evil-doers fear His third eye.
(Taken from http://www.hindudevotion.com/shiva.html)

Shivji is also called ‘Mahadev’. Maha means ‘great.’ ‘Dev’ is a Divine Being.

The Crescent Moon in his hair stands for the fact that He has conquered (Kaal) time and now uses it as adornment. (Time was calculated in olden times by the waning and waxing of the moon). Incidentally ‘Kaal’ stands for ‘death’ and ‘time’ and Shivji has conquered both.

The ash smeared on His body, denotes His complete Vairaagya (detachment from the world and its pleasures). Instead of precious metals and jewels, Shiva adorns himself with snakes as ornaments. Snakes on ones body would force one to remain alert at all times. Ever Ready. Ever Prepared. Snakes could also denote unleashed controlled energy.
(Taken From http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/shivratri.htm)

During Shivaratri, people repeat the Panchakshara Mantra: Om Namah Shivaya as it is said he who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples. 
(Taken from http://www.rudraksh-ratna.com/mahashivaratri.html)

Legends behind Shivaratri

•Once Lord Vishnu and Lord Bramha argued over each other’s prowess. However, Lord Shiva challenged both of them. He appeared as a flaming Lingam and challenged the duo to measure the gigantic Lingam. Lord Bramha, who took the form of a swan, and Lord Vishnu who became a boar and went to Netherland, were both unable to measure the Shivlinga. Then, Lord Shiva came out of the Linga and declared himself the most powerful. Maha Shivratri therefore means the ‘grand night of Shiva.’ The devotees of Shiva fast during this day and pray to the lord throughout the night. This legend goes to prove the supremacy of Mahadev over other Hindu Gods.

•King Daksha, opposed Sati's marriage with Shiva. At a yagnya (holy sacrifice) the king ignored Shiva’s presence and thereby insulted the latter publicly. Sati was so angered by this that she jumped into the sacrificial fire and ended her life. Lord Shiva unleashed his fury at the death of his wife by performing the violent dance, Taandav. He wiped out Daksha’s kingdom, undertook rigorous penance and retired to the Himalayas. The Gods, who feared that the severity of Shiva’s penance might bring an end to the world, revived Sati in the new avatar of Parvati. Shiva-Parvati married and this reunion is celebrated on Maha Shivratri.
(Taken from http://www.rudraksh-ratna.com/mahashivaratri.html)
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