Mahashivratri 2026: Why and how did Lord Shiva assume the form of Ardhanarishwar? Read this interesting story

Story of Lord Shiva’s Ardhanarishwar form
Image Credit source: AI

Story of Lord Shiva’s Ardhnarishwar form: Every year the holy festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. According to mythological beliefs, Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati got married on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. On Mahashivratri, Shiva-Shakti is worshiped and fasted with rituals. Fasting and worshiping on this day brings blessings of a happy married life.

This year the great festival of Mahashivratri will be celebrated on 15th February. Although many stories related to Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati are told on the day of Mahashivratri, but today we are going to tell you the story of Lord Shiva becoming Ardhanarishwar, so let us know why and how Lord Shiva became Ardhanarishwar?

According to the story…

According to the story, Bhrigu, one of the seven sages, was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Once, as usual, he came early in the morning and proceeded to circumambulate Lord Shiva. At that time Mother Parvati was sitting near Lord Shiva. Then sage Bhrigu circumambulated Lord Shiva passing between both of them. The sage did this because he wanted to circumambulate only Lord Shiva. Not of Mother Parvati.

After this, Shiv ji asked Parvati ji to come a little closer. Bhrigu Rishi saw that there was not enough space for him to go out, so he took the form of a mouse and started circling only Lord Shiva, keeping Mother Parvati outside. This made Mother Parvati angry. On this Lord Shiva made the mother sit on his thigh. So that the sage has to circumambulate Parvati ji.

Lord Shiva became Ardhanarishwar

However, then sage Bhrigu took the form of a small bird and circumambulated Lord Shiva. By now the anger of Mother Parvati had increased a lot. Then Lord Shiva pulled Mother Parvati into himself and made her a part of himself. Due to which half of his body became that of Lord Shiva and the other half that of Mother Parvati. In this way Lord Shiva became Ardhanarishwar.

Seeing this, sage Bhrigu became a bee and circled the right leg of Lord Shiva. Seeing this, Lord Shiva was pleased, but then he sat on Siddhasana. After this, Sage Bhrigu had to circumambulate the Ardhanarishwar form of the Lord.

Also read: Janaki Jayanti 2026: Janaki Jayanti will be celebrated tomorrow, know the auspicious time, method and importance of puja.