Maha Shivratri, one of the most sacred Hindu festivals, will be celebrated on February 26, 2025. Devotees across India and beyond observe this auspicious night in reverence to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, engaging in fasting, night-long vigils, and special pujas.

Maha Shivratri symbolizes the overcoming of darkness and ignorance through devotion and meditation. The festival is linked to multiple legends, including the cosmic Tandava dance of Lord Shiva and the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Many devotees believe that observing a fast on this day brings spiritual growth, inner peace, and divine blessings.

The rituals for the auspicious occasion include devotees taking an early morning bath and wearing clean clothes before visiting Shiva temples. This day is especially significant for women, who participate in the traditional rituals using water, milk, Bel leaves, and fruits like Ber or jujube, along with incense sticks.

The Shivling is bathed with water, milk, saffron, honey, and Ganga jal, followed by offerings of bel patra, dhatura, raw rice, curd, sandalwood, and ghee. The fast lasts for 24 hours, with devotees consuming only sattvik foods like fruits, sabudana khichdi, kheer, and potato-based dishes. Night-long prayers and bhajans are performed, and the fast is broken the next morning after bathing and offering prayers.

The festival is observed in unique ways across India:

• In Tamil Nadu, devotees undertake the Girivalam (circumambulation) of Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai.
• In Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, the grand Mandi Fair sees a gathering of deities from nearby temples.
• In West Bengal, unmarried women visit Tarakeswar Temple, seeking blessings for an ideal life partner.

On this divine night, chants of "Om Namah Shivaya" resonate through temples as devotees seek Lord Shiva’s grace for health, happiness, and spiritual awakening.