Maha Shivaratri, also known as Shivratri, is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is observed annually in honor of Lord Shiva's marriage to Goddess Parvati. The name "Maha Shivaratri" translates to the "Great Night of Shiva," and the festival usually falls on the 13th night and 14th day of the lunar month of Phalguna or Maagha in the Hindu calendar.
Key aspects of Maha Shivaratri include fasting, meditation, prayers, and offerings to Lord Shiva. Devotees often visit Shiva temples, perform Rudra Abhishekam (a ritual of offering various items to Lord Shiva), and participate in night-long vigils. Many Hindus believe that observing Maha Shivaratri with devotion and sincerity can bring blessings, cleanse sins, and lead to spiritual awakening.
The festival holds significance in various legends associated with Lord Shiva, and it is celebrated with enthusiasm in different parts of India and other countries with Hindu communities. The date of Maha Shivaratri varies each year in the Gregorian calendar, as it is based on the Hindu lunar calendar.
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