Maha Shivratri

Shivratri, especially Maha Shivratri (“Great Night of Shiva”), is a major Hindu festival celebrating Lord Shiva, marking his divine power and overcoming darkness; devotees fast, stay awake all night, offer prayers, chant “Om Namah Shivay,” and perform abhishekam (bathing the Shivalinga) with milk, honey, and water to seek blessings, spiritual growth, and dissolution of ego and ignorance, celebrating the union of Shiva and Parvati or Shiva’s manifestation as a pillar of light.