About Maha Shivaratri |
Event | Maha Shivaratri |
Location | All over India |
Category | Festival |
Date | Mar 26, 2025 |
Main Attraction | The all day and night prayers and devotion is the main attraction |
Overview/History | Mahashivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. It falls on the13th night/14th day in the month of Magh or Phalgun as per the Hindu calendar. The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated by rejoicing and praying to Lord Shiva for wellness. Huge crowd of devotees gather outside Lord Shiva's temples early in the morning for prayers. Devotees present offerings in the form of coconut, fruits, Bilva (Bael) leaves and especially made sacred food for the occasion. Devotees light candles and Diyas throughout the night and this is indicated as a spiritual manifestation. |
Celebration | Mahashivaratri is celebrated all over India and everybody participates in one way or the other. On this day devotees wake up early, take a bath, wear fresh clothes and visit the nearest Shiva temple to give the ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum. Continuous prayers are done throughout the day and night of Mahashivaratri. Devotees offer prayers and also observe a fast throughout the day. Jaagrans (nightlong devotions) are also observed in temples where large numbers of devotees sing devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. Devotees break their fast in the morning by having the 'prasad' offered to Lord Shiva after the prayers the night before. |