Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes ProCon History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
Maha Shivaratri
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Bengaluru, India: Shiva statue
Quizzes
A woman and her daughter smear color powder on one another's face on Holi, the Indian festival of colors.
Hindu Holiday Quiz
Read Next
February 29, leap day, leap year, happens every four years
Leap Day, February 29
Indian hijras participate in a religious procession in Gandhinagar, India, some 30 kilometers from Ahmedabad, on March 22, 2017. Hijra is a term used in South Asia which refers to transgender individuals who are born male. (gender identity, gender expression)
6 Cultures That Recognize More than Two Genders
Candles Burning On Table In Church
What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?
Hindu Holi Festival celebrations with colored water, powder and colorful flower petals thrown over celebrants at a Hindu temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India on March 24, 2021.
Holi: Festival of Colors
Calendar marking march 15th
22 Questions About Time and Timekeeping Answered
Discover
Super Typhoon Noru over the western tropical Pacific Ocean as observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA Aqua satellite July 31 2017
What Is the Difference Between a Typhoon and a Super Typhoon?
Thanksgiving Turkey with all the sides
Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?
Woman tied to a ducking stool, a method of punishment by means of humiliation, beating, or death. (cucking stool)
8 Unusual Punishments Inflicted on Women Throughout History
Thumbnail for flags that look alike quiz Russia, Slovenia, Iceland, Norway
Flags That Look Alike
Los Angeles Police Department wanted flyer on Elizabeth Short, aka the "Black Dahlia," who was brutally murdered in January 1947. The FBI supported the Los Angeles Police Department in the case, including by identifying Short through her fingerprints that
America’s 5 Most Notorious Cold Cases (Including One You May Have Thought Was Already Solved)
Iraqi Army Soldiers from the 9th Mechanized Division learning to operate and maintain M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks at Besmaya Combat Training Center, Baghdad, Iraq, 2011. Military training. Iraq war. U.S. Army
8 Deadliest Wars of the 21st Century
New York NY/ USA- November 23, 2018 Hordes of shoppers throng the Macy's Herald Square flagship store in New York looking for bargains on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday.
Why Is It Called Black Friday?
Bengaluru, India: Shiva statue
Bengaluru, India: Shiva statue Statue of Shiva in Bengaluru (Bangalore), Karnataka state, India.

Maha Shivaratri

Hindu festival
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maha-shivaratri
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History
Sanskrit:
“Great Night of Shiva”
Related Topics:
Śivarātrī
See all related content

Maha Shivaratri, the most important sectarian festival of the year for devotees of the Hindu god Shiva. The 14th day of the dark half (waning moon) of each lunar month is specially sacred to Shiva, but when it occurs in the month of Magha (January–February) and especially in the month of Phalguna (February–March), it is an observance of particular rejoicing. The preceding day the participant observes a fast and at night a vigil during which a special worship of the lingam (symbol of Shiva) is performed along with prayer and relating myths about Shiva. The following day is celebrated with feasting, festival fairs, and, among the members of the South Indian Lingayat sect, the giving of gifts to the guru (personal spiritual guide). Devotees believe that worship on this night provides extraordinary religious and worldly benefits.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Charles Preston.