View source for Maha Shivaratri

{{Short description|Hindu festival dedicated to the god Shiva}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name  = Maha Shivaratri
| type          = Hindu
| image         = 02 Mahashivratree festival.JPG
| caption       = Meditating Shiva statue on Maha-Shivaratri
| observances   = {{Bulleted_list|Fasting|Self-study|[[Jagran|Jagarana]]||[[Lingam]] [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]|[[Yoga]]<ref name="Melton2011p541">{{cite book|first=J. Gordon|last=Melton|title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lD_2J7W_2hQC|year=2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-206-7|pages=541–542}}</ref>}}
| observedby    = [[Hindus]]
| longtype      = Religious
| date          = Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi
| significance  = Commemoration of the wedding of Shiva and Parvati<br/>Veneration of the Tandava dance of Shiva<br/>Manifestation of the lingam<ref name = "SK" >Stephen Knapp (2012), Hindu Gods & Goddesses, Jaico Publishing House, India, {{ISBN|9788184953664}}, page 110</ref>
| frequency     = Annual
| duration      = 1 day
| date2025      = 26 February
}}
{{Hindu festival date info}}
{{Saivism}} 
'''Maha Shivaratri'''  is a [[Hindu festival]] celebrated annually to worship the deity [[Shiva]], between February and March.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GnmPzgEACAAJ |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z |date=2002 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-0-8239-3180-4 |pages=637 |language=en}}</ref> According to the [[Hindu calendar]], the festival is observed on the first day of the first half (night start with darkness - waning) of the [[lunar month]] of [[Phalguna]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="JonesRyan2006p269" /> The festival commemorates the marriage of Shiva and [[Parvati]],<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Coulter |first1=Charles Russell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QEJUEAAAQBAJ&dq=shivaratri+wedding&pg=PA428 |title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities |last2=Turner |first2=Patricia |date=6 December 2021 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-9179-7 |pages=428 |language=en}}</ref> and the occasion of Shiva performing his [[Sacred dance|ritual dance]] called [[tandava]].<ref name= Dhoraisingam35/><ref name="auto1">{{cite book|author1=Om Prakash Juneja|author2=Chandra Mohan|title=Ambivalence: Studies in Canadian Literature |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=39FHAAAAYAAJ |year=1990|publisher=Allied|isbn=978-81-7023-109-7|pages=156–157}}</ref>

It is a notable festival in [[Hinduism]], marking a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, [[vrata|fasting]], and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p269" /> Ardent devotees stay awake throughout this night. Others visit one of the [[Shiva|Shiva temples]] or go on a pilgrimage to the [[Jyotirlingam]]s. The festival is believed to have originated in 5th century BCE.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p269">{{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Constance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&pg=PA269 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=D. Ryan |first2=James |publisher=Infobase Publishing |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 |page=269}}</ref>

In [[Kashmir Shaivism]], the festival is called Har-ratri or phonetically simpler Haerath or Herath by Shiva devotees of the Kashmir region.<ref name="brunn402">{{cite book|first=Stanley D. | last=Brunn|title=The Changing World Religion Map: Sacred Places, Identities, Practices and Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CGh-BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA403| year= 2015|publisher= Springer|isbn= 978-94-017-9376-6|pages= 402–403}}</ref><ref name="maitra125">{{cite book|first=Asim | last=Maitra|title=Religious Life of the Brahman: A Case Study of Maithil Brahmans|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f3LXAAAAMAAJ|year= 1986|publisher= Munshilal|isbn= 978-81-210-0171-7|page= 125}}</ref>

==Description==
{{Quote box
 |quote  = '''A festival of contemplation'''
<poem>
During the Vigil Night of Shiva, Mahashivaratri, 
we are brought to the moment of interval 
between destruction and regeneration; 
it symbolizes the night 
when we must contemplate on that which 
watches the growth out of the decay. 
During Mahashivaratri we have to be alone 
with our sword, the Shiva out of us. 
We have to look behind and before, 
to see what evil needs eradicating from our heart, 
what growth of virtue we need to encourage.
Shiva is not only outside of us but within us. 
To unite ourselves with the One Self 
is to recognize the Shiva in us.
</poem>
 |source = —''The Theosophical Movement, Volume 72''<ref>{{cite journal|title=Shiva|journal=The Theosophical Movement|volume=72|number=4|url=http://www.ultindia.org/tm_magazine/7204shiva.html|year=2002|orig-year=February 1962|type=reprint|publisher=TEOS, Theosophy Company, Mumbai|page=137|access-date=21 February 2020|archive-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215001305/https://www.ultindia.org/tm_magazine/7204shiva.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 |bgcolor=#FFE0BB
 |align  = right
}}
Maha Shivaratri is particularly important in the [[Shaivism]] tradition of [[Hinduism]]. Unlike most Hindu festivals that are celebrated during the day, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. Furthermore, unlike most Hindu festivals that include expression of cultural revelry, Maha Shivaratri is a solemn event notable for its introspective focus, fasting, meditation on Shiva, self study, social harmony and an all-night vigil at Shiva temples.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p269"/>

The celebration includes maintaining a [[Jagran|jagarana]], an all-night vigil and prayers, because Shaiva Hindus mark this night as "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in one's life and the world through Shiva. Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk are made to Shiva, some perform all-day fasting with Vedic or Tantric worship of Shiva, and some perform meditative [[yoga]].<ref>[http://www.odisha.gov.in/portal/LIWPL/event_archive/Events_Archives/150MAHA_SHIVA_RATRI.pdf Mahashivaratri] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327171257/http://www.odisha.gov.in/portal/LIWPL/event_archive/Events_Archives/150MAHA_SHIVA_RATRI.pdf |date=27 March 2014 }}, Government of Orissa; [http://publicholidays.in/maha-shivaratri/ Maha Shivaratri], Public Holidays</ref> In Shiva temples, the sacred Panchakshara [[mantra]] of Shiva, "[[Om Namah Shivaya]]" is chanted throughout the day.<ref>{{Cite news|title=This Mahashivratri, here are five Shiva mantras that will change your life for the better|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/the-buzz/article/mahashivratri-2018-shiva-maha-shivratri-chaturdashi-shiva-god-parvati-hinduism-shankar-rudra-god-five-shiva-mantras-that-will-change-your-life/197820|access-date=10 March 2021|work=Times Now|language=en|date=12 February 2018}}</ref> Devotees praise Shiva through the recitation of the hymn called the [[Shiv Chalisa|Shiva Chalisa]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 February 2020|title=Mahashivratri 2020: Recite Shiva Chalisa on this auspicious day to impress Shiva and gain wealth and success|url=https://english.jagran.com/lifestyle/mahashivratri-2020-recite-shiva-chalisa-on-this-auspicious-day-to-impress-lord-shiva-and-gain-wealth-and-success-10009068|access-date=10 March 2021|work=Jagran English}}</ref>

==Legend and significance==
[[File:Flickr - dalbera - Shiva Natarâdja, Seigneur de la Danse (musée Guimet).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|Many legends explain the significance of Maha Shivaratri, one being it is the night of [[Nataraja|Shiva's dance]].]]
[[File:Mahashivratri festival , Maharashtra.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|Maha Shivaratri in [[Maharashtra]]]]
The Maha Shivaratri is mentioned in several [[Puranas]], particularly the ''[[Skanda Purana]]'', ''[[Linga Purana]],'' and ''[[Padma Purana]]''. These medieval era Shaiva texts present different versions associated with this festival, such as fasting, and offering reverence to a [[lingam]]{{em-dash}}an emblematic figure of Shiva.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p269"/>

Different legends describe the significance of Maha Shivaratri. According to one legend in the [[Shaivism]] tradition, this is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction.<ref name= Dhoraisingam35/><ref name="auto1"/> The chanting of hymns, the reading of Shiva scriptures and the chorus of devotees joins this cosmic dance and remembers Shiva's presence everywhere. According to another legend, this is the night when Shiva and Parvati got married.<ref name= Dhoraisingam35/><ref>{{cite book|first=Steven | last=Leuthold|title=Cross-Cultural Issues in Art: Frames for Understanding |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z9GsAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA142 |year=2010|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-85455-2|pages=142–143}}</ref> A different legend states the offering to Shiva icons, such as the linga, is an annual occasion to overcome any past sins, to restart on a virtuous path, and thereby reach [[Mount Kailasha]] for liberation.<ref name= Dhoraisingam35>{{cite book|first=Samuel S. | last=Dhoraisingam|title=Peranakan Indians of Singapore and Melaka |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=QHwcAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA35| year= 2006|publisher =Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|isbn= 978-981-230-346-2|page=35}}</ref> It is also believed that on this particular day, Shiva gulped the [[Halahala]] produced during the [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]] and held it in his neck, which bruised and turned blue. As a result, he acquired the epithet [[Nilakanta (Hinduism)|Nilakantha]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Significance of Maha Shivaratri: A Night of Awakening |url=https://nepalirudraksha.com/blogs/blog/significance-of-maha-shivaratri |website=Nepa Rudraksha}}</ref> It is also believed that the famous [[Neelkanth Mahadev Temple]] is the place where this incident took place.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

The significance of dance tradition to this festival has historical roots. The Maha Shivaratri has served as a historic confluence of artists for annual dance festivals at major Hindu temples such as at [[Konark Sun Temple|Konark]], [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments|Khajuraho]], [[Pattadakal]], [[Sun Temple, Modhera|Modhera]] and [[Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram|Chidambaram]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Tracy | last=Pintchman|title=Women's Lives, Women's Rituals in the Hindu Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lOc8ZoLV0wC&pg=PA194|year=2007|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=978-0-19-803934-1|pages=194–195}}</ref> This event is called ''[[Natyanjali]]'', literally "worship through dance", at the Chidambaram temple which is famous for its sculpture depicting all dance mudras in the ancient Hindu text of performance arts called ''[[Natya Shastra]]''.<ref>{{cite book|first=Tracy | last=Pintchman|title=Women's Lives, Women's Rituals in the Hindu Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lOc8ZoLV0wC&pg=PA194|year=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-803934-1|pages=194–196}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Brenda | last=Pugh McCutchen |title=Teaching Dance as Art in Education |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C0yjXGJ3EEoC |year=2006|publisher=Human Kinetics|isbn=978-0-7360-5188-0 |pages=450 }}</ref> Similarly, at Khajuraho Shiva temples, a major fair and dance festival on Maha Shivaratri, involving Shaiva pilgrims camped over miles around the temple complex, was documented by Alexander Cunningham in 1864.<ref>{{cite book|author= Shobita Punja|title= Khajuraho: the first thousand years|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=CwfWAAAAMAAJ|year= 1999|publisher= Penguin Books|pages= 71–74|isbn= 9780670891900}}</ref>

==Worship ==
{{See also|Mandi Shivaratri Fair}}

=== India ===
{{multiple image
| align             = 
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 180
| image1            = Prabha 09.jpg
| caption1          = 
| image2            = Kotappakonda.jpg
| caption2          = 
| image3            = 
| width3            = Lighting the holy big lamp on top of the annamalai hill with oil and camphor
| footer            = Mahashivaratri Celebrations of Kotappakonda ([[Palnadu district|Palnadu]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]) observed at night, usually in lighted temples or specially prepared ''prabha'' (above).
}}
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in [[Tamil Nadu]] with great pomp and fanfare in the [[Arunachalesvara Temple|Annamalaiyar]] temple located in [[Tiruvannamalai]] district. The special process of worship on this day is Girivalam or Giri Pradakshina, a 14-kilometer bare foot walk around Shiva's temple on top of the hill. A huge lamp of oil and [[camphor]] is lit on the hilltop at sunset - not to be confused with [[Karthigai Deepam]].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} A ritual marathon is undertaken by the devotees to the 12 Shiva shrines in the district of [[Kanyakumari]] on the day of Shivaratri called [[Sivalaya Ottam]].{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} In recent years, the [[Isha Foundation]] has been a major patron of such festivities in India, with even [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] having attended the celebration hosted at the site of the [[Adiyogi Shiva statue|Giant Adiyogi]] in [[Coimbatore]].<ref>{{cite news |date=24 February 2017 |title=Narendra Modi in Coimbatore as it happened: PM to unveil 112-foot Shiva idol at Isha Foundation event |language=en |work=Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/narendra-modi-in-coimbatore-live-pm-to-unveil-112-foot-shiva-idol-at-isha-foundation-event-3300396.html |access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>

The major [[Jyotirlinga]] Shiva temples of India, such as in [[Varanasi]] and [[Somanatha]], are particularly frequented on Maha Shivaratri. They serve also as sites for fairs and special events.<ref>{{cite book|first=Diana L. | last=Eck|title=Banras, City of Light|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lkkqAAAAYAAJ |year=1982|publisher=Knopf|pages=113, 256, 276| isbn=9780394519715}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.varanasiguru.com/maha-shivratri/|title=🔱Shivaratri - Shivaratri Dates, Schedule and Timing 2023 &#124; Next Shivaratri festival on 18 February 2023|website=varanasiguru.com|date=25 February 2022 |access-date=11 February 2023}}</ref>

In [[Karnataka]], Mahashivaratri is one of the most important festivals that is celebrated with much grandeur. The ardent worshippers stay awake all night and visit temples to take part in the rituals. Popular temple destinations such as [[Dharmasthala]], [[Murudeshwara]], [[Gokarna, Karnataka|Gokarna]], [[Nanjangud]], [[Male Madeshwara Hills]], [[Kadu Malleshwara Temple|Kadu Malleshwara]], [[Kotilingeshwara]], [[Mylara Lingeshwara Temple|Mylaralingeshwara]] among others are thronged with devotees across the state and other neighbouring states.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/mahashivaratri-celebrated-with-fervour-in-mysuru-region/article30883594.ece|title= Mahashivaratri celebrated with fervour in Mysuru region|work=The Hindu|date=21 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/shivaratri-celebrated-with-fervour-across-north-karnataka/articleshow/18900576.cms|title=Shivaratri Celebrated with Fervour Across North Karnataka|work=The Times of India|date=11 March 2013}}</ref> The [[Isha Foundation]]'s festivities are replicated at the Adiyogi Shiva temple at [[Chikkaballapur]] which was inaugurated on 15 January 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/sadhguru-sannidhi-at-chikkaballapur-decked-up-to-celebrate-mahashivaratri-on-saturday/articleshow/97990262.cms?from=mdr|title=Sadhguru Sannidhi at Chikkaballapur decked up to celebrate Mahashivaratri|work=Economic Times|date=18 February 2023}}</ref>

In [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]], special pujas are held at Pancharamas - Amararamam of [[Amaravati]], Somaramam of [[Bhimavaram]], [[Draksharamam]], Kumararama of [[Samarlakota]] and Ksheerarama of Palakollu. The days immediately after Shivaratri are celebrated as Brahmotsavaalu at [[Srisailam]], one of 12 Jyotirlinga sites. Mahashivaratri utsavalu are held at the Rudreshwara Swamy's 1000 pillar temple in [[Warangal]]. Devotees throng for the special poojas at [[Srikalahasti]], [[Mahanandi]], [[Yaganti temple|Yaganti]], [[Antarvedi]], [[Kattamanchi]], [[Pattiseema]], [[Bhairavakona]], [[Hanamkonda]], [[Keesaragutta Temple|Keesaragutta]], [[Vemulawada, Rajanna Sircilla district|Vemulawada]], [[Panagal, Nalgonda district|Panagal]], [[Kulpakji|Kolanupaka]] among others. Shivaratri yatras are held at Mallayya gutta near Kambhalapalle, Gundlakamma Kona near Railway Koduru, Penchalakona, Bhairavakona, Uma Maheswaram among others.

The Mandi fair is in the town of [[Mandi, Himachal Pradesh|Mandi]] is particularly famous as a venue for Maha Shivaratri celebrations. It is believed that all gods and goddesses of the area, said to number more than 200, assemble here on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Mandi, located on the banks of [[Beas River|Beas]], is popularly known as the "Cathedral of Temples" and one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh, with about 81 temples of different deities on its periphery.<ref name="mandi">{{cite web|title=International Shivaratri fair in Mandi|url=http://himachaltourism.gov.in/post/Mandi.aspx|publisher=Himachal tourism|access-date=8 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414002705/http://himachaltourism.gov.in/post/Mandi.aspx|archive-date=14 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="shiv">{{Cite web|url=http://mandishivratri.com/about-mandi.html|title=The International Festival|access-date=7 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401052653/http://mandishivratri.com/about-mandi.html|archive-date=1 April 2009}}</ref><ref name="heaven">{{Cite web|url=http://matabhimakali.com/mandi.html|title=Mandi – The Seventh Heaven|access-date=7 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410001057/http://matabhimakali.com/mandi.html|archive-date=10 April 2011}}</ref>

In [[Kashmir Shaivism]], Maha Shivaratri is celebrated by the Hindus of [[Kashmir]] and is called, "Herath" in Kashmiri, a word derived from the Sanskrit word "Hararatri" the "Night of Hara" (another name of Shiva). Shivaratri, regarded as the most important festival of the community, for instance, is celebrated by them on trayodashi or the thirteenth of the dark half of the month of Phalguna (February–March) and not on the chaturdashi or the fourteenth as in the rest of the country. The reason for it is that this long drawn festival that is celebrated for one full fortnight as an elaborate ritual is associated with the appearance of [[Bhairava]] ([[Shiva]]) as a jvala-linga or a linga of flame. It has been described as Bhairavotsava in Tantric texts as on this occasion Bhairava and [[Bhairavi]], his Shakti or cosmic energy, are propitiated through Tantric worship.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

According to the legend associated with the origin of the worship, the linga appeared at pradoshakala or the dusk of early night as a blazing column of fire and dazzled Vatuka Bhairava and Rama (or Ramana) Bhairava, Mahadevi's mind-born sons, who approached it to discover its beginning or end but miserably failed. Exasperated and terrified they began to sing its praises and went to Mahadevi, who herself merged with the awe-inspiring jvala-linga. The Goddess blessed both Vatuka and Ramana that they would be worshipped by human beings and would receive their share of sacrificial offerings on that day and those who would worship them would have all their wishes fulfilled. As Vatuka Bhairava emerged from a pitcher full of water after Mahadevi cast a glance into it, fully armed with all his weapons (and so did Rama), he is represented by a pitcher full of water in which walnuts are kept for soaking and worshipped along with Shiva, Parvati, Kumara, Ganesha, their ganas or attendant deities, yoginis and kshetrapalas (guardians of the quarters) – all represented by clay images. The soaked walnuts are later distributed as naivedya. The ceremony is called 'vatuk barun' in Kashmiri, which means filling the pitcher of water representing the Vatuka Bhairava with walnuts and worshipping it.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

[[Central India]] has a large number of Shaiva followers. The [[Mahakaleshwar Temple]], [[Ujjain]] is one of the most venerated shrines consecrated to Shiva, where a large congregation of devotees gathers to offer prayers on the day of Maha Shivaratri. Tilwara Ghat in the city of [[Jabalpur]] and the Math Temple in the village of [[Jeonara]], [[Seoni]] are two other places where the festival is celebrated with much religious fervour.

In [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], Shobha Yatras would be organised by various Hindu organisations in different cities. It is a grand festival for [[Punjabi Hindus]].

In [[Gujarat]], Maha Shivaratri mela is held at [[Bhavnath]] near [[Junagadh]] where bathing in the Mrugi (Mrigi) kund is considered holy. According to myth, Shiva himself comes to bath in the Mrugi kund.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

In [[West Bengal]], Maha Shivaratri is observed devoutly by unmarried girls and boys seeking a suitable husband or wife, often visiting [[Tarakeswar]].{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

In [[Odisha]], Maha Shivaratri is also known as ''Jagara''. People fast for their wishes whole day and take food after 'Mahadipa' (The great diya) rises at the top of Shiva temple. It usually is held during midnight. Unmarried girls also worship for seeking a suitable husband.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

=== Nepal ===
[[File:108 Night View Of Pashupatinath Temple.jpg|thumb|Pashupatinath Temple]]
Maha Shivaratri is a national holiday in Nepal and celebrated widely in temples all over the country, especially in the [[Pashupatinath temple]]. Thousands of devotees visit the famous [[Shakta pitha|Shiva Shakti Peetham]] nearby as well. Holy rituals are performed all over the nation. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated as Nepali Army Day amid a spectacular ceremony held at the Army Pavilion, [[Tundikhel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nepalarmy.mil.np/viewnews/379 |title = Nepali Army {{!}} नेपाली सेना}}</ref> In the capital city of [[Kathmandu]], there is a provision of road blockage where children use ropes and strings to stop the people or vehicle passing through in exchange of money.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blocking the Roads: A Shivaratri Tradition That Needs Rethinking |url=https://dwitnews.com/index.php/archive/article/shivaratri-blocking-the-roads#:~:text=As%20the%20festival%20of%20Shivaratri,streets%20to%20get%20some%20money. |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=dwitnews.com}}</ref> Worshippers of Shiva stay up all night and some also smoke marijuana as Shiva is believed to be an avid smoker and marijuana smoking on this day is called taking ‘Shivako Prasad’ or ‘Shiva Buti’ literally the "Blessing of Shiva".<ref>{{Cite web |title=maha shivaratri |url=https://bordernepal.wordpress.com/tag/maha-shivaratri/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=Border Nepal Buddhi |language=en}}</ref> Crowds of sadhus and saints travel to Pashupatinath Temple located in Kathmandu from all of Nepal and neighbouring India to celebrate the day and perform puja on this day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |title=About 10 lakh visitors expected to throng Pashupatinath temple on Maha Shivratri |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/about-10-lakh-visitors-expected-to-throng-pashupatinath-temple-on-maha-shivratri-2928017 |access-date=16 September 2024 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

=== Pakistan ===
Another major temple where Shivaratri is celebrated is the [[Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple, Karachi|Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple in Karachi]] whose Shivaratri festival is attended by 25,000 people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/pakistan/story/shri-ratneshwar-mahadev-temple-karachi-overpass-pakistani-hindus-hrcp-187674-2014-04-04|title=150-year-old Hindu temple under threat in Karachi|date=4 April 2014|newspaper=Indiatoday|access-date=28 August 2020}}</ref> On the Shivaratri night, Hindus in Karachi fast and visit the temple. Later, devotees from the [[Chanesar Goth]] come to the temple carrying water from the holy river [[Ganges]], in order to bathe the idol of [[Lord Shiva|Shiva]]. [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] is performed until 5 am, when an [[aarti]] is then done. Devotees then walk barefoot with women carrying a [[pooja thali]] containing flowers, incense sticks, rice, coconut and a [[Diya (lamp)|diya]] to the sea after which they are free to break their fast. They eat breakfast later on, which was made in the temple kitchen.<ref name="Shazia Hasan">{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1243973|title=Hindus celebrate Maha Shivratri festival in Karachi|author=Shazia Hasan|date=7 March 2016|newspaper=Dawn|access-date=28 August 2020}}</ref>

=== Outside South Asia ===
Maha Shivaratri is the main Hindu festival among the [[Shaivite|Shaiva Hindu diaspora]] from [[Nepal]] and [[India]]. In [[Indo-Caribbean]] communities, thousands of Hindus spend the beautiful night in over four hundred temples across multiple countries, offering special ''jhalls'' (an offering of milk and curd, flowers, sugarcane and sweets) to Shiva.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trinidad Hindus observe Shivratri amid Carnival Celebration|url=https://repeatingislands.com/2014/03/01/trinidad-hindus-observe-shivratri-amid-carnival-celebration/|publisher=Repeating Islands|access-date=31 August 2016|date=2 March 2014}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In [[Mauritius]], Hindus go on pilgrimage to [[Ganga Talao]], a crater-lake.<ref>{{cite web|title=The sacred lake of Ganga Talao|date=3 May 2016|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/03/africa/maha-shivaratri-mauritius/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=12 June 2018}}</ref>

==Fasting==
[[File:Lord Shiva devotees offering milk, flowers, fruits and bel leaves on a Shivaling for seeking divine blessings, in a city temple at the celebration of Maha Shivaratri, in New Delhi on February 23, 2009 (1).jpg|thumb|A family worshipping [[Shiva Linga]] during fasting period.]]
Fasting and meditation is recommended for Hindus during Maha Shivaratri.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/recipe/cleanse-your-body-this-maha-shivratri-101646031274662.html|title =Cleanse your body this Maha Shivratri|date =28 February 2022}}</ref> Those fasting may engage in "nirjala vrat," or fasting from all food and water, or fast from meat, eating only fruits and milk during the day.

In [[Shaivism]], fasting is traditionally associated with [[Shiva]] worship. It is customary for the devotees of [[Shiva]] not to eat anything until they worship him and make him offerings. On most of the days, they do not have to fast for a whole day because the worship is performed in the early morning. However, on the day of Maha Shivaratri, they have to wait because the worship continues late into the night.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/food/mahashivratri-2018-5-foods-you-can-have-while-observing-mahashivratri-vrat-fast-1811808|title =Mahashivratri 2022: 5 Foods You Can Have While Observing Mahashivratri Vrat (Fast)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/rituals-puja/maha-shivaratri-fasting-rules-and-vrat-vidhi/articleshow/81434471.cms|title =Maha Shivaratri Fasting Rules and Vrat Vidhi|newspaper =The Times of India|date =11 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/mahashivratri-2023-fasting-rules-dos-and-don-ts-to-keep-in-mind-while-worshipping-lord-shiva-101676468072865.html|title =Mahashivratri 2023 fasting rules: Dos and don'ts to keep in mind while worshipping Lord Shiva|date =15 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/maha-shivaratri-2023-what-to-eat-if-you-are-fasting/articleshow/98028141.cms|title =Maha Shivaratri 2023: What to eat if you are fasting}}</ref>

Devotees break the fast between sunrise and before the end of [[Chaturdashi]] Tithi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/maha-shivaratri|title =Check Maha Shivratri significance, puja vidhi, fasting rules, mantras, vrat katha, celebrations and more on Times of India|website =[[The Times of India]]|date =20 February 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Pradosha]]
* [[Rudraksha]]
* [[Vibhuti]]
* [[Rudra]] 
* [[Linga]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
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* [http://pluralism.org/religions/hinduism/the-hindu-experience/the-great-night-of-shiva/ Maha Shivaratri celebrations in the USA by The Pluralism Project]
* [https://www.ibc24.in/maha-shivratri-2022/full-hd-shivratri-images-780887.html Mahashivratri images]

{{Shaivism}}
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[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Hindu holy days]]
[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:March observances]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]]
[[Category:Public holidays in Nepal]]
[[Category:Public holidays in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal]]
[[Category:Shaivism]]
[[Category:Vrata]]