Maha Sivaratri, celebrated all over India, falls on the 13th (or 14th) day of the dark half of the Phalgun (February-March) month. The name "Maha Sivaratri" means "the night of Lord Siva" and celebrations happen all over the country on the night of this auspicious occasion. There are many beliefs behind the celebration of this religious festival. Some devotees believe that Lord Siva married Goddess Parvati on this propitious day. However the major part of the devotees follow another story of the belief.
Once the Devas and Asuras joined together for "Saagaramathanam" - churning of Ocean. They enjoyed PariJatha, KalpaVrikshu (Tree which bestows any boons), Kamadhenu (Cow which bestows any boons) and Amritha (Nectar). However when the mighty poison "Kalakoota" emerged, all of them were in panic and nobody could combat it. At that time Lord Shiva emerged to help the world and swallowed the poison. Goddess Parvati was all for her husband and held his throat to enter into Lord Siva. Lord Siva neither swallowed nor spat out the poison as he held it in his neck and became Neelakanta (Blue neck).
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