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. There are 12 Jyotirlingas and many temples in the country of Lord Shiva, but these 12 Jyotirlingas have their own importance.
As per popular belief, Mahadev himself resides in the form of light in these 12 Jyotirlingas. The glory of the description of 12 Jyotirlingas has been mentioned in Shiv Puran Katha. These 12 Jyotirlingas are Mallikarjunam, Vaidyanatham, Kedarnatham, Somanatham, Bhimashankaram, Nageshwaram, Visveshwaram, Trimbakeshwar, Rameshwar, Ghrishneshwaram, Mamleshwaram and Mahakaleshwaram. Things that are common in all 12 Jyotirlingas and temples is a Naag (Snake) around the neck of Lord Shiva, the Ganges in his hair, the moon on his head and the trishul-damru in his hand are the symbols of this.
The Story Behind Mahadev’s Naag
There are different significances behind wearing all these things. It is said that snakes consider Mahadev as their God. A snake's garland is also wrapped around his neck. According to legend, Nagraj Vasuki was an ardent devotee of Mahadev. They were always engrossed in worshiping him. During the Samudramanthan, Nagraj Vasuki worked as a rope.
Mahadev was impressed after seeing the devotion of Nagraj. He gave Vasuki the boon of being wrapped around his neck. After this Nagraj Vasuki became immortal. The festival of Nag Panchami is celebrated in the month of Sawan. Snakes are especially worshiped in temples on this day.
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