Maha Shivaratra is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in honor of Lord Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Lord Shiva performs the celestial dance called Tandava.
In each month of the Hindu luni-solar calendar, there is a Shivaratri - the "night of Shiva" - on the day before the new moon. But once a year, at the end of winter and before the arrival of summer (February/March) this night is known as "Maha Shivratri" - "The Great Night of Shiva". This day falls in Falguna month according to North Indian Hindu calendar and Magha according to South Indian Hindu calendar.
In each month of the Hindu luni-solar calendar, there is a Shivaratri - the "night of Shiva" - on the day before the new moon. But once a year, at the end of winter and before the arrival of summer (February/March) this night is known as "Maha Shivratri" - "The Great Night of Shiva". This day falls in Falguna month according to North Indian Hindu calendar and Magha according to South Indian Hindu calendar.
It is a significant festival in Hinduism, and the festival is solemn and marks the "overcoming of darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. It can be observed by remembering Shiva and offering prayers, fasting and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, not hurting others, charity, forgiveness and finding Shiva. Devout devotees keep vigil throughout the night. Others visit one of the Shiva temples or go on a pilgrimage to the Jyotirlingas. The festival is an integral part of Hinduism and its origin predates recorded history, although some Western Indologists believe that the festival originated in the 5th century BCE. According to South Indian calendar, Maha Shivaratri is still celebrated on Chaturdashi tithi in Krishna Paksha of Magha month and in other parts of India, Krishna Paksha 13/14th night of Phalguna in Hindu calendar is still celebrated as Gregorian. . Same date.
In Kashmiri Shaivism, Shiva devotees from the Kashmir region call the festival Hara-ratri or Herat or phonetically simple Herat. In recent years, the Isha Foundation has been one of the main sponsors of such festivals in India and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the celebrations at the Giant Adiyogi site in Coimbatore.
In Kashmiri Shaivism, Shiva devotees from the Kashmir region call the festival Hara-ratri or Herat or phonetically simple Herat. In recent years, the Isha Foundation has been one of the main sponsors of such festivals in India and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the celebrations at the Giant Adiyogi site in Coimbatore.
