Maha Shivaratri is a festival celebrated among the Hindu religion. It's to honor the god Shiva on the night the Tandava Nritya was performed (dance of creation).
Upcoming Dates For Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri
The celebration for this day is held on the 13th day of the Falgun month. This is a part of the Hindu calendar, referring to the last month. Here are the upcoming dates for this Hindu celebration:
- Saturday, February 25, 2017
- Wednesday, February 14, 2018
- Tuesday, March 5, 2019
- Saturday, February 22, 2020
Where Is Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri Considered a Holiday?
Maha Shivaratri is observed throughout India, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. It is a public holiday in these regions. This means that many establishments will be closed down for observation of such an important day.
Festivities & Events During Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri
In Mandi, there is a world-famous festival held. The entire town becomes a place for celebration. It's believed that gods and godesses from the area assemble here. In other areas, such as Jabalpu and Jeoara there are also large celebrations. Both of these locations have well-known temples that serve a great purpose for worship on this particular day. Since the celebration is largely tied in with religion, many of the festivals and celebrations will take a heavily religious tone. There are other smaller-scale celebrations in the smaller areas. It's a widely celebrated day in temples all over Maharashtra.
A Brief History About Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri
The origins of this festival are largely unknown. Although many have celebrated the life of Shiva, there is no concrete day as to when it began. The celebration itself is an important festival in Hinduism. It represents overcoming darkness and overcoming ignorance. Shiva is remembered on this day through chanting, prayers and meditation. The name of the festival translates to "The Great Night of Shiva". There are small Shivaratri (celebrations to honor Shiva) every month, but this particular one holds the most significance.