Mahashivratri also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance called Tandava. The Hindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. We all are excited for Mahashivratri. This year Mahashivaratri will fell on 18 February 2023. According to the beliefs of Sanatan Dharma, on this day Mahadev, the God of Gods, married Mata Parvati. The description about 12 Jyotirlingas is also in Shivpuran Katha. These 12 Jyotirlingas are Mallikarjunam, Vaidyanatham, Kedarnatham, Somanatham, Bhimashankaram, Nageshwaram, Visveshwaram, Trimbakeshwar, Rameshwar, Ghrishneshwaram, Mamleshwaram and Mahakaleshwaram. Jyotirlinga enjoys massive significance for Shiva Devotees. Have a look at the first Jyotirlingas and its story.
The story of Somnath Jyotirlinga
Somnath Jyotirlinga is established in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Somnath Jyotirlinga is considered one of the most important temples of Indian history. It is known as the first Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. There is an interesting story about the temple, according to ancient texts, King Daksha Prajapati had 27 daughters, whom he married to Chandradev (Moon), but after this marriage, Chandradev only loves Rohini out of his 27 wives.
The 26 daughters of King Daksha Prajapati used to get angry because of this. Once the 26 daughters expressed their grievances to father Daksha Prajapati. After this he met Chandra and explained to him that all wives are equal and there should be equal love in the heart for all. But Chandradev did not understand his words and he remained lost in the love of Rohini. Even after the behest of King Daksha Prajapati, Chandradev did not listen to Rohini and remained lost in Rohini's love, King Daksha Prajapati became angry and cursed Chandradev to have tuberculosis that from today onwards your face will lose its lustre.
Due to curse, Chandradev and it results in coolness on the earth during the night, there was a ruckus on the earth, Chandradev’s condition was very sad and started thinking about how to get rid of this curse. When Brahmaji came to know about this and told the remedy that there is only one way to get rid of this curse by going to some holy place and worshiping Lord Mahadev.
Mahamrityunjaya Lord Shiva, and only he can help him to get rid of this curse. Chandradev went to the holy place and chanted the Mahamrityunjaya mantra 100 million times. Mahadev was impressed by Chandradev’s devotion and he gave the boon of immortality to Chandradev and make him free from this curse. Then all the devotees present there together chanted the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra of Mahadev and requested the Lord to reside here to protect the people, Mahadev accepted this prayer. After this Somnath Jyotirlinga was established as the first Jyotirlinga of the country.
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