Markandeya, the son of Sage Mrikandu, was destined to live only sixteen years. In his sixteenth year, when Yama, the god of death, came to take his life, the young Markandeya threw his arms around a Shiva linga. Yama cast his noose, and Shiva burst forth from the linga, stopped Yama and blessed the boy with immortality. And so Shiva is called "Mahakal" and "Mrityunjay", the conqueror of death.
The Mahamrityunjaya mantra, "Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam…" (We worship the three-eyed Lord, who is fragrant and nourishes all), is chanted with faith for health, protection and freedom from fear.
As Nataraj, Shiva performs the Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss. The damru in one hand is the sound of creation, the fire in another symbolises dissolution, and the demon crushed beneath his foot stands for ignorance. The whole universe moves to this divine rhythm.
In the month of Shravan, devotees offer water, milk, bilva leaves and dhatura at Shiva temples and chant "Om Namah Shivaya". Bholenath is quickly pleased by devotion from a sincere heart; he loves a pure feeling more than any grand ritual.