Shiva means ‘that one which is not’. Maha Shivratri means ‘The Great Night of Lord Shiva’ which is the day of overcoming darkness and ignorance in life. It is annually celebrated in the month of Phagun i.e. February-March and this auspicious day is believed to be the day when Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati.

Some also believe that on this day Lord Shiva saved the world from the poison that emerged from the ocean during Samudra Manthan by drinking and storing it in his throat that turned his throat blue.

Lord Shiva is also known as Adiyogi and is believed to be the founder of Yoga and therefore, in the yogic tradition he is not considered as a God but as the first Guru.

Although Shivratri comes every 13th /14th night of each month of the Hindu calendar, Maha Shivratri is celebrated once a year. Devotees visit the nearby Shiva temple, organizes jaguars, observe fast and chant the name and mantras of Lord Shiva to seek his blessings. Many of them go on pilgrimage to Jyotirlingams.

Biologists have figured out that one of the biggest steps in the evolutionary process of any animal was the movement from a horizontal to a vertical spine after which the intelligence has happened. So, the festival of Shivratri is to make use of the natural energies to its maximum nightlong by doing proper meditation and uttering the right kind of mantras so that one can move one step closer to the Divine. Not sleeping nightlong is very important on this night i.e. one should keep the body in a vertical position. Maha Shivratri is not only of great significance for the people who are into a spiritual process but also for the people with family. It is said that any meditation done on this auspicious night is a thousand times more effective.

This day is also astrologically linked: when the sun and moon are in a particular alignment, it helps to raise the mind to a higher position. It is said that such days were pleasant for spiritual practices. According to Indian astrology, certain days and time frames are conducive for spiritual growth and meditation. Mahashivratri is one such day.