Maha Shivarathri - The Night Dedicated To The Worship Of Lord Shiva

In our place, the celebrations are held for seven days that include the reciting of sacred chants, songs and also story telling. Sacred books like Ramayana, Bhagavatam, Bhagavad gita etc. are read. Cultural programs like folk dances and fancy dress for children are usually organized.

Plays and cinemas will also be displayed as part of the programs.

In the Shiva temples everywhere, the festival celebrations are held for many days, concluding everything on the Shivarathri night.

The word 'Maha Shivarathri' can be translated as the 'Great Night Of Shiva'. The day and night on Maha Shivathri are dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, even though the prime importance is for the night. The temples will always be busy and crowded with special poojas and rituals.

The sacred panchakshari mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" is always recited, along with other mantras.

Those who observe Shivarathri do not sleep on that day. They will be awake for the entire day and night. The observance of Shivarathri is mostly focused on avoiding sleep. You can fast the whole day or limit food if you wish, but that is not very necessary as the focus is to avoid sleeping at night. What I have seen mostly is that those who plan to stay awake at night usually eat rice only for lunch and then use fruits and sometimes wheat based food for dinner. Some people prefer to just have the food offerings from the temple.

Lunch is freely offered from most of the Shiva temples on Shivarathri day, known as Annadanam. So even if you decide to fast by limiting food, you can have the food offered from the temples.

If you decide to avoid sleep and be awake on Shivarathri, you should not sleep on the day and night. You can sleep once you see the star on the sky, the next day evening. In brief, you will not be sleeping for two days and the Shivarathri night.