Mahashivratri is one of the important annual festivals of Hindus where Lord Shiva is worshipped. This auspicious festival is usually celebrated in Phalgun according to the Hindu calendar.

On this day, a grand celebration takes place across India, where devotees follow a strict fast to seek the divine blessings of Lord Shiva. People visit temples and light lamps to mark this important day.

The festival is celebrated with great grandeur and gaiety with folk dances, songs, prayers, chanting, etc.

According to the Hindu calendar, Mahashivaratri falls on the 14th day or Chaturdashi Tithi in the dark fortnight of Phalgun (February–March). On this day, during Nishida Kaal, Lord Shiva is worshipped.

Hence, the delightful occasion of Mahashivratri will be celebrated this year on March 8th, 2024. The festival is generally observed at the end of winter and the beginning of spring and summer. 

The significance of Maha Shivaratri is rooted in Hindu mythology, and many stories are associated with the celebration of Maha Shivaratri. According to mythology, Lord Shiva first manifested in the form of Shiva Linga at the midnight of Mahashivaratri.

Some say that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married on this day, and hence devotees consider it to be the embodiment of love, power, and unity.

It is also believed that Shiva consumed the poison that emerged during the churning of the celestial ocean to save the world from darkness; thus, he is also named ‘Neelkanth’. Also, Lord Shiva performs his Tandava dance, the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction, on this day.

On this auspicious day, devotees start by taking a holy bath in the river Ganges, then start preparations for the festival, followed by a long day strict fast. Then in the evening, the devotees visit the temple and worship the Shiva Linga by adorning it with flowers and bael leaves.

Devotees also offer bhang (Cannabis), fruits, honey, ghee, sweets, and milk to the deity. Also, they light lamps and spend the whole night chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' in the temple.

In many temples across India, street processions of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are also taken out. Devotees break their fast after having satvik food, including non-cereal foods, fruits, and delectable sweets.

Shivratri, also known as Mahashivaratri, is an auspicious Hindu festival where Lord Shiva, the primary deity of Hinduism, is worshipped. On this day, devotees keep a strict fast, perform rituals, and worship Lord Shiva with full devotion to seeking blessings, happiness, hope, and prosperity. The festival falls annually in February or March. 

This is all about Mahashivaratri. Wishing you a blessed Mahashivaratri. May Shiva bestow his benign blessings upon you on this holy festival. If you have any queries or thoughts, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We appreciate our reader's valuable comments. 

Thank you for your valuable time in reading this article, and we look forward to hearing from you.