Maha Shivaratri: the great night of Shiva

Every month has a Shivaratri on the fourteenth night of the dark fortnight. The one before the new Moon of Magha (Phalguna in North Indian calendars) is Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva.

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What it celebrates

Tradition links the night with the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, and with Shiva appearing as an endless pillar of light (the lingodbhava). It is a night of stillness, prayer and staying awake.

When it falls

Maha Shivaratri is kept on the night when Chaturdashi is current at Nishita Kaal, around midnight, the most important time for the puja.

How it is kept

  1. Fast Many fast through the day and night, taking only fruit or milk, or nothing.
  2. Abhishek The Shiva linga is bathed with water, milk and honey and offered bilva leaves.
  3. Four prahars The night is divided into four watches, with a puja in each, and “Om Namah Shivaya” is chanted.
  4. Parana The fast is broken the next morning, after sunrise.

Temples such as Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi and Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain stay open through the night.