Chant the sacred 'Om Namay Shiva' and devote your day and night in worshiping the Supreme Power, Lord Shiva. Maha Shivratri, a religious occasion for Hindus, falls on the 6th night of the dark Phalgun (Feb or March) every year. Ardent devotees of the Lord celebrate the festival with performing rituals, chanting Shiva Chalisa and singing melodious Bhajans whole night.

History/Legend of Maha Shivratri
A number of mythological story connects the festival of Maha Shivratri. A common legend is about the marriage of Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Shakti. Accordingly, Goddess Parvati performed tapas on the moonless night for the prosperity and well-being of her husband, Lord Shiva. Since then, the day came was marked in the Hindu mythological calendar. Following the past, till date women folk carry the custom of praying to the Lord and hence receive blessing for their husbands and sons. It is believed girls who keep fast on Shivratri are blessed with ideal soul-mates.


Maha Shivratri Rituals
Maha Shivratri holds great significance for women of Hindu religion. Both married and unmarried women observe fast dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the very day, devotees take a ritual sunrise bath and visit temples of Lord Shiva. They offer honey, milk, holy water, fruits and flowers to the Shiva Linga. Each offering is followed with chanting mantras. The ritual is known as giving scared bath to the Lord. Many devotees follow the prescribed words in the holy Shiva Purana and as such perform the said ritual in every three hours. Vermillion paste is applied on the linga, following offering of bilwa fruit and leaves, which should have a complete stalk with three leaves. The linga puja completes after lighting ' ghee-filled earthen diyas, incense sticks and performing Shiv aarti.

Maha Shivratri Festival Celebration
Maha Shivratri is traditionally celebrated in different parts of India. Devotees start decorating the abodes of Lord Shiva, one week prior to the festival day. The temple areas get extended, as devotees spend whole night in worshiping the Lord. Sound of bells, holy hymns and verses led spiritual feeling fuse into the aura. Women dressed in new clothes (preferably traditional saree and salwar-suits)engage themselves in preparing and offering special food to the Lord. The fasting session concludes with distribution of prassad. Thandai, Lauki ki halwa, Sweet Yam, Sago Saboodana, Kheer and Kaju Barfi are a few festival recipes prepared during Maha Shivratri.