Maha Shivaratri, “The Great Night of Shiva”, is a night of special spiritual significance in the Hindu tradition.

Every year, I look forward to this day with expectation and devotion. It is a perfect opportunity to remember and celebrate Hara Mahadeva, who has been established in my heart since I first heard his name, like an echo resonating in my whole being, reminding me that I have come back home. But why is this day so important in our tradition?

Maha Shivaratri (the great night of Shiva) is celebrated on the day before the new moon between February and March. In 2025, this night will be Wednesday, February 26th.

Shivaratri is an auspicious festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. It commemorates the wedding of Shiva and Parvati and the occasion on which Shiva performs his divine dance, the Tandava. The festival marks a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance” and the balance of masculine and feminine energies.

In the yogic tradition, Shiva is not worshipped as a God but considered the Adi Guru, the first Guru from whom the science of Yoga originated. After many millennia of meditation, one day, he became absolutely still. That day is Maha Shivaratri. All movement in him stopped, and he became utterly still, so ascetics see Maha Shivaratri as the night of stillness.

On this day, Devotees fast and pray throughout the night, as it is said that sincere worship on Shivaratri brings inner peace and blessings. Temples resonate with chants of Om Namah Shivaya, and rituals include bathing the Shiva linga (a rounded pillar-like stone resting in a circular base) with milk, honey, and water, symbolising purification.

Prayers throughout the night create a contemplative and spiritual atmosphere. Through more subdues than other festivals, Shivaratri’s focus on inner devotion and discipline resonates with their interest in meditation and spirituality. Meditation on this auspicious night focuses on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.

Five things to know about Maha Shivaratri:

1. Maha Shivaratri, “the great night of Shiva”, marks the transformative power of Shiva as winter ends and spring begins.
2. The festival celebrates Shiva’s cosmic dance, which represents the cyclical renewal of the universe.
3. Shiva’s act of drinking poison to save the world inspires devotees to pray for resilience.
4. Shiva and Parvati’s union on this day represents the balance of masculine and feminine energies in creation
5. Observances include fasting, meditation and worship, which some communities celebrate for over two weeks with family rituals.

This year, the celebration of Maha Shivaratri has a special resonance as it culminates with the ending of the Maha Kumbh Mela. This event is unique as it occurs once every 144 years, marking the completion of 12 Kumbh Mela cycles (the last one was in 1881). The Maha Kumbh Mela, an integral part of Indian tradition, is renowned globally as the largest peaceful congregation of people. The festival is a testament to the human quest for divine and spiritual liberation, representing the belief in freedom from the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This gathering allows millions of devotees to immerse themselves in the holy waters of Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati, symbolising a purification of the soul and, as believed, a path to attaining Moksha or liberation. The event is considered auspicious due to the astrological alignment of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon, symbolising the victory of gods over demons and offering devotees a chance for spiritual purification.

I hope the reader can appreciate my humble effort to simplify and make this concept more accessible to all, making clear that I do not hold any authority or claim any deeper wisdom of the Vedanta other than my own experience and exploration over the years.

Hari om Tat Sat

Om Namah Shivaya (I salute to the absolute light of consciousness beyond all names and forms).