Shivratri Festival

People observe day and night fast on this day and worship Lord Shiva Lingam. People wake up early in the morning and wear new clothes on this day. Shiva lingams at home and in temples are given a bath. The offerings of fruits, water, curd, honey, bael leaves and milk are made to the Shiva lingam. While performing these rituals Shiv chalisa and aarti is recited and people mainly recite “Om Namah Shivaya” several times.

The celebrations of Shivratri festival can be seen throughout the country where people are seen observing fast during Maha Shivratri. It is said that women tend to be very excited about the fast of Shivratri, as it is believed that married women observe fast for the well being of their husbands and family and unmarried girls observe fast to get a husband like Lord Shiva. A famous tradition of this festival is drinking of the thandai, a drink made of cannabis, sweet almonds and milk. Followers of Lord Shiva drink this drink because it is believed that Lord Shiva loved cannabis.

There are several legends that are associated with the celebrations of this festival and all the regions of India celebrate this festival by worshiping Shiva lingam that is a symbol of fruitfulness. There are several places in India that have famous Shiv temples that people visit on the day of Maha Shivratri. These temples face a big crowd on the day of Maha Shivratri and some of the famous temples are:

• In Madhya Pradesh: Omkareshwar
• In Maharashtra (Daminyal): Bhimashankar
• In Uttar Pradesh: Mallika
• In Marathwada: Vaidyanatha
• In Himalayas: Kedarnath

Apart from the above there are several other temples that are well known among people and visited by them on the festival of Shivratri.