Shivaratri, or Mahashivratri , is one of the most important days in Hinduism. There are numerous reasons regarding the origin of Shivaratri and most of reasons for observing Shivratri can be traced to the Puranas. A few important legends are detailed below. Origin of Shivratri based on hunter unknowingly dropping Bilva leaves on Shiva Lingam There once lived a tribal man who was a hunter and a staunch a Shiva devotee. He used to go for hunting on all days to feed his family. One day the hunter lost his way while hunting and was trapped in the forest at night. Soon wild animals started to gather around him and he climbed a Bel or Bilva tree. Sitting there he remembered his wife and children and tears started rolling from his eyes. In order to keep himself awake, he started plucking Bilva leaves and dropped it down repeating ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ – the Panchakshari Mantra. The hunter unknowingly fasted the whole day and did not sleep in the night. In the morning,