Maha Shivratri is a major festival in Hinduism, and this particular festival is solemn and marks remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. This day celebrates the union of Shiva with Shakti which falls in the month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar, which is the month of February- March.
History of Maha Shivratri -
The legend of marriage of Shiva and Shakti the story tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort; the day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as Maha Shivratri - the Night of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivratri signifies love, passion and togetherness in a married life, Shiva and Shakti are two forms of one energy and together they stand complete and powerful; it also symbolizes that a marriage is all about the partners being in the relationship together and emerging strong at every step of life.
The celebration includes Jaagran by devotees who chant the name of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk are made some devotees fast the entire day; devotees recite "Om Namah Shivaya" the major Jyotirlinga in temples of Lord Shiva such as in Varanasi and Somnath are particularly crowded on Maha Shivratri.
Maha Shivratri is celebrated in Tamil Nadu with great pomp and show in the Annamalaiyar temple located in Tiruvannamalai district, the special worship on this day is 'Girivalam' Pradakishna, a 14 - kilometer bare foot walk around Lord Shiva's temple on top hill. A huge lamp of oil and camphor is lit on the hilltop at sunset.
The Mandi fair in the town of Mandi is particularly famous as a venue for Maha Shivratri celebrations, it transforms the town as devotees pour in it is believed that all gods and goddesses of the area, more than 200, assemble here on this day of Maha Shivratri. Mandi located on the banks of Beas, is popularly known as the "Cathedral of Temples" and one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh, with about 81 temples of different Gods and Goddesses on its periphery.
Central India has a large number of Shaiva followers, the Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain is one of the most venerated shrines consecrated of devotees gathers to offer prayers on the day of the Maha Shivratri. Tilwara Ghat in the city of Jabalpur and the Math temple in the village of Jeonara, Seoni are two places where the festival is celebrated with much religious fervor.
In Gujrat, Maha Shivratri Mela is held at Bhavnath near Junagadh where bathing in the Mrugi kund is considered holy, in Punjab, Shobha Yatras are organized by various Hindu organizations in different cities it is a grand festival for Punjabi Hindus.
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