Events

Maha Shivaratri a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of God Shiva. There is a Shivaratri on March 13th night/14th day, but once a year in late winter and before the arrival of Summer marks Maha Shivaratri which means "the Great Night of Shiva".

There are several interesting legends related to the Maha Shivaratri festival. According to one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Shiva and Parvati. Some people think that on the auspicious (well-timed) night of Shivaratri, Shiva performed "Tandava", the original creation, preservation, and destruction of the dance. Another popular legend of Shivaratri in Linga Purana said that in Shivaratri, Shiva appeared in the form of Linga. Therefore, the devotees of Shiva thought that this day was very auspicious, and they celebrated it as Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva.

To mark the Shivaratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give a ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.