Once upon a time, in a small village nestled among the mountains, there lived a wise old granny named Grandma Shanti. Every year, on the auspicious night of Mahashivaratri, she gathered all the village children around her and shared magical Mahashivaratri stories about Lord Shiva and the significance of this special day.
Granny’s Mahashivaratri Stories 2024
Granny Shanti: Children, do you know what day is coming soon?
Kids: No, Granny Shanti, what day is it?
Granny Shanti: It’s Mahashivaratri! A day dedicated to Lord Shiva, the powerful and compassionate god of destruction and transformation.
Kids: Wow, Granny! Who is Lord Shiva?
Granny Shanti: Ah, Lord Shiva is one of the three main gods in Hinduism, along with Brahma and Vishnu. He is often depicted with blue skin, a third eye on his forehead, and a crescent moon on his head. He is the god of destruction, but don’t be scared! Destruction in this sense means making way for new beginnings and transformations.
Kids: Why do people celebrate Mahashivaratri, Granny?
Granny Shanti: Great question, my little ones! Mahashivaratri is celebrated to honor Lord Shiva and his marriage to the goddess Parvati. It is believed that on this night, Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees stay awake all night, singing hymns and offering prayers to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings.
Kids: What do people do on Mahashivaratri, Granny?
Granny Shanti: During the day, people visit temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, offer prayers, and make special offerings like fruits, flowers, and milk. In the evening, they gather for night-long vigils called ‘jagrans,’ where they chant prayers, sing devotional songs, and listen to stories about Lord Shiva.
Kids: Granny, why is it called Mahashivaratri?
Granny Shanti: Another excellent question, my dear! ‘Maha’ means great, ‘Shiva’ refers to Lord Shiva, and ‘ratri’ means night. So, Mahashivaratri translates to the ‘great night of Lord Shiva.’ It’s believed that on this night, Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance and granted blessings to his devotees-Mahashivaratri stories.
Kids: Granny, why do people fast on Mahashivaratri?
Granny Shanti: Fasting is a way for devotees to purify their minds and bodies and show their dedication to Lord Shiva. Some people observe a strict fast where they don’t eat or drink anything for the entire day, while others may consume fruits, milk, or special fasting foods-Mahashivaratri stories.
Kids: Granny, is there a story behind Mahashivaratri?
Granny Shanti: Yes, indeed! There are many stories associated with Mahashivaratri. One popular legend is about a hunter named Sundar who unknowingly dropped bilva leaves on a Shiva Lingam while hunting in the forest on Mahashivaratri. Despite his actions, Lord Shiva was pleased with his devotion and granted him liberation-Mahashivaratri stories.
