Maha Shivaratri
महा शिवरात्रि
The great night of Lord Shiva, considered the most sacred Shiva observance of the year. Devotees fast, stay awake all night, and offer bilva leaves, milk, and water to the Shiva Lingam.
Why We Celebrate
Maha Shivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction (Tandava). Some traditions celebrate it as the night Shiva married Goddess Parvati. The Linga Purana states that on this night, Shiva manifested as an infinite pillar of light (Jyotirlinga). Staying awake in meditation and devotion on this night is believed to wash away sins and accelerate spiritual progress.
Maha Shivaratri, meaning "the Great Night of Shiva," falls on the darkest night of the year — the 14th night of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of Phalguna. The most widely told origin story is the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean). When a deadly poison called Halahala emerged and threatened to destroy creation, Lord Shiva drank it to save the universe. Goddess Parvati pressed his throat to stop it from spreading, turning it blue — earning him the name Neelkanth (the blue-throated one).
Other traditions celebrate this as the night Shiva married Parvati, or the night he appeared as an infinite pillar of light (Jyotirlinga) to settle a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu — which is why Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Lingam (a rounded stone symbolizing the formless infinite).
In yogic tradition, the planetary positions on this night naturally elevate spiritual energy in the body. Staying awake all night (Jagran) with the spine upright allows this energy to rise. Whether through prayer, meditation, or quiet contemplation, Shivaratri is considered the most powerful night for inner transformation.
How It's Celebrated
Observe a full-day fast (nirjala or phalahar) — break it the next morning
Visit a Shiva temple and perform abhishekam with milk, water, honey, and yogurt
Offer bilva (bel) leaves, dhatura flowers, and white flowers to the Shiva Lingam
Stay awake through the night (jagran) chanting Om Namah Shivaya
Perform four prahar pujas at 6 PM, midnight, 3 AM, and dawn
Meditate on the formless aspect of Shiva during the quiet night hours
Regional Variations
What You Need
US alternative: Available at Indian grocery stores or online; dried bilva leaves work too
US alternative: Any whole milk from the grocery store works
US alternative: Regular plain yogurt, raw honey, and store-bought ghee
US alternative: White carnations, white roses, or any white flowers from a florist
US alternative: Available at Indian stores or temples; sandalwood paste is an alternative
US alternative: Any prayer beads or simply count on your fingers
US alternative: Skip if unavailable; extra bilva leaves are a suitable substitute
US alternative: Tea light candles and any incense from a home goods store
US alternative: A smooth rounded stone can represent the Lingam; or print an image
Get a personalized supply checklist with reminders in the Aaradhana app.
Download AaradhanaRituals for Maha Shivaratri
Shiva Abhishekam
The sacred bathing ritual
Four Prahar Puja
Night-long worship in 4 phases
Shivaratri Jagran
All-night devotional singing
The full step-by-step guided walkthrough with audio, mantras, translations, and a supply checklist is available in the app.
Get the complete Maha Shivaratri ritual guide with audio and step-by-step instructions.
Download AaradhanaMantras & Aartis
Did You Know?
- ✦Shivaratri literally means "Shiva's night." While there is a Shivaratri every month (on the 14th of each dark fortnight), Maha Shivaratri in Phalguna is the "great" one — considered the most spiritually potent night of the entire year.
- ✦The tradition of offering bilva (bel) leaves comes from the story of a hunter named Suswara who accidentally dropped bilva leaves on a Shiva Lingam while hiding in a tree overnight. His unintentional offering pleased Shiva so much that he was granted moksha (liberation).
- ✦In yogic tradition, Shivaratri is significant because the planetary positions on this night naturally push energy upward in the body. This is why practitioners sit with the spine erect through the night — to align with this cosmic energy for deeper meditation.
Related Festivals
Never miss Maha Shivaratri again. Aaradhana sends you reminders, preparation guides, and everything you need — starting 7 days before.
Download Aaradhana