Shivaratri

What Is Shivaratri?
Shivaratri is a Hindu festival. It is celebrated in winter before
spring arrives. Shivaratri means ‘The Great Night of Shiva’. It is
a celebration of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva
Shiva is one of many Hindu gods. He is one
of the most important Hindu gods. Shiva is
known as the destroyer because he keeps
the world safe by destroying all evil.
Shiva has a blue face and neck. He also
has an extra eye on his forehead. This is to
show that Shiva knows a lot.

How Hindus Celebrate Shivaratri

Shivaratri is celebrated when it is dark. Hindus will stay awake
all night to pray. Parvati was Shiva’s wife. She prays to keep
Shiva safe. Hindu wives also pray to keep their husbands safe.
Hindus do not eat for a day during Shivaratri. In the Hindu
temple, the priest washes a statue of Shiva every three hours. The
next day, Hindus will have a special bath and visit the temple.
Hindus believe Shivaratri is a time to forget any bad things they
have done.

Shivaratri is a time
to think and pray.

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 Shivaratri

Questions
1. In what season do Hindus celebrate Shivaratri? Tick one.
spring
summer
autumn
winter
2. Why is Shiva called the destroyer? Tick one.
He breaks things.
He keeps the world safe.
He is not a good friend.
3. What colour is Shiva’s face and neck? Tick one.
red
yellow
blue
green
4. What do Hindus do to celebrate Shivaratri? Tick two.
sing
pray
read
eat food
have a bath
5. Finish this sentence: Shivaratri is a time to .
sleep
eat
listen
think

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