What Is Shivaratri?

Shivaratri is an important Hindu celebration.

It is also called
‘Maha Shivaratri’.

It is celebrated during the winter

months, before spring arrives.

It means ‘The Great Night of Shiva’.

 Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva is an important Hindu God.

It is believed that on this night, Shiva

meditates for three hours.

During this time, his wife, Parvati, offers

up prayers to protect him while he
meditates, to keep him safe from his
enemies.
Hindu Women

At this time, like Parvati, Hindu

wives pray for the safety of their
husbands.
 Rituals
On the day that Shivaratri begins, the rituals
begin at sunset. Hindu people will hold a vigil.
This is when people stay awake all night and
pray.

Hindus will pray for things like honesty,

self-control and forgiveness.

They will also fast. This means they will

not eat anything from sunset on the first
day, until the sun sets the next evening.

Hindu people believe this cleanses them of their sins.

 In the Temple
In the Hindu temple, the priest offers worship, called puja, to Shiva. He bathes a
statue that represents Shiva every three hours.

Hindus believe that by saying Lord

Shiva’s name during Shivaratri, the
power of his name will be even
greater.
 The Next Day

The next morning, people have a special bath called abhishekam.

They visit the temple, and bathe the statue representing Shiva in the same way
that the priest had done.

The statue is offered fruits, incense and betel leaves,

to rid people of their sins.
 Shivaratri
Shivaratri is a solemn celebration; a time for reflection and prayer.