Mahashivratri Puja is on 8 March. On that day Lord Bholenath is anointed with water and milk and he is worshiped methodically with flowers, Akshat, Belpatra etc. At the time of Mahashivaratri Puja, you should read the fast story of Mahashivaratri. By reading the fast story, worship is completed and there is knowledge of the glory of Lord Shiva. Devotees also get their grace. The story of Mahashivaratri fast is told in the Shiva Purana. Know the story of Mahashivaratri fast from Dr. Krishna Kumar Bhargava, Jyotishacharya of Tirupati.
According to Shiva Purana, there is a mention of Shiva devotion of a hunter named Chitrabhanu in the fast story of Mahashivaratri. In which it has been told that those who inadvertently worship Lord Shiva get blessings of Lord Shiva. Those who observe the fast of Mahashivaratri and worship, they get special grace of Lord Shiva. Let us read the story of Mahashivaratri fast.
According to mythology, a village lived in a village named Chitrabhanu. He had a debt from a village moneylender. He could not be free from that debt. One day the moneylender caught him and imprisoned him in a Shiva monastery. Shivaratri was the date of fast that day.
While living in Shiva Math, Chitrabhanu heard the story of Shivaratri. In the evening, he told the moneylender that if he leaves him, he would repay the loan the next day. Relying on his point, the moneylender freed him. From there, Chitrabhanu went directly into the forest for hunting. He reached near a pond. There he built his house on a bell -paper tree. There was a Shivalinga under that bell tree, which was covered with Belpatras. Chitrabhanu did not know this.
He climbed the bell tree and sat down waiting for the hunting. He was hungry and thirsty. He was breaking the bell -leaf and falling down, falling on the Shivling. Unknowingly, he started worshiping Shiva. In the afternoon, a pregnant Hirani came to drink water on the banks of the pond. Hence, Chitrabhanu agreed to hunt him. The Hirani told Chitrabhanu that she is pregnant, she would find the sin of killing two people. When she gives birth to a child, she will be ready for hunting. On this, Chitrabhanu donated him life.
After some time another deer came, Chitrabhanu wanted to kill him too. The Hirani said that at this time she is looking for her husband, because she is suffering from sexual lust. She will become a victim after meeting her husband. Chitrabhanu also let him go. Late in the night a Hirani came to drink water with her children. The hunter agreed to kill them.
On this, Hirani said that she is looking for the father of these children. As soon as they meet, she will come for hunting. Chitrabhanu felt pity and left him and left. Chitrabhanu sat on the bell tree and broke the bell leaves and started dropping down. It was about to dawn that a deer came. He asked Chitrabhanu if you have killed three deer and his children? If he has done so, kill him too because he cannot live without them. Let me go if you have not killed them. After meeting the family, I will come to you for hunting.
Unknowingly, hunter Chitrabhanu had worshiped Shivalinga and also awakened the night. He had a feeling of compassion in his heart. He also let the deer go. After this, thinking about the animal hunting done in his life, he felt guilty and started repenting. Then the whole family of that deer came to him to become a victim. Chitrabhanu gave life to the antelope. Inadvertently, Shivaratri fasted with hunter Chitrabhanu. With his virtuous effect, Chitrabhanu attained salvation at the end of life. He got a place in Shivlok.