MAHA SHIVARATRI
FESTIVALS OF INDIA – MAHASHIVRATRI
Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri,Great Night of Shiva is a Hindu festival celebrated every year.This festival celebrated on 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Magha or Falguna.
The festival is celebrated by offerings of Bael leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil. Per scriptural and discipleship traditions, the penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation.
Parvati asked Lord Shiva which rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 13th night of the new moon, during the month of Maagha, is his most favourite day. Parvati repeated these words to her friends, from whom the word spread over all creation.