Maha Shivratri

Practice

On a moonless night in February every year, occurs the night of Shiva, the destroyer. Devotees of Shiva fast during the day and maintain a long vigil during the night. People keep awake listening to stories, hymns and songs. In temples all across the country, bells ring, sacred texts are chanted and traditional offerings of leaves and milk are made to the Shiva lingam, the phallic symbol of the god. According to ancient scriptures, Shiva manifests himself in the form of a huge flaming lingam known as Jyotirlinga on Shivratri. It is the duty of every worshipper to worship this lingam with at least one bilwa leaf.

Time:February(every year)

Place:All over India