MAHA SHIVARATHRI FESTIVAL

Shivaratri is celebrated on the 6th night of the dark Phalgun (Feb or March) every year. Lord Shiva is worshipped in 108 names. Some of them are Neelakanta, Shankar, Nataraja, Pashupathi, Maheswar etc. The devotees of Lord Shiva observe this festival with great devotion.On the auspicious day, devotees observe fasting and keep vigil all night. Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the 'Tandava'. It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Ma. On this day Shiva devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and bel leaves on Shiva Linga.Mahashivaratri is celebrated widely in the temples all over India and Maritaus

                           According to Hindu mythology, Shivaratri symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. On the day of Shivratri or Mahashivratri devotees offers and bael leaves to the Lingam. Bael leaves are considered very sacred and it is said that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them. This festival mainly celebrated at night.

                            In Varanasi and Baidhyanathdham (Deogarh), one of the twelve jyotirlinga of lord Shiva, devotees worship throughout the night at all the Shiva temples. Kashi Vishwanath temple in the Varanasi city is decorated. A huge procession, dedicated to Lord Shiva, follows. The Deoghar town witnesses huge flow of pilgrims on the ancient Baba Baidhyanath temple. Mahashivaratri is a major festival in Deoghar

For more info about this festival, just check out the link :

http://www.mahashivratri.org/