Festival calendar
Maha Shivaratri 2012
kept through the night, so the date follows nishita and not sunrise - Phalguna Krishna 14 in the purnimanta reckoning
| Dated by | nishita (midnight) |
|---|---|
| Lunar month (ending at new moon, amanta) | Magha |
| Lunar month (ending at full moon, purnimanta) | Phalguna |
| Where it is kept | all India |
Why this date
Magha Krishna Chaturdashi runs from 20 Feb 2012 04:04 to 21 Feb 2012 03:52 in Thāne, Maharashtra, India.
The festival is kept on the first day on which this tithi is running at nishita (midnight). Here is that moment on the day before, the day itself and the day after:
- 19 Feb 2012 · nishita (midnight) at 20 Feb 2012 00:51: the tithi had not begun
- 20 Feb 2012 · nishita (midnight) at 21 Feb 2012 00:51: the tithi is running - this is the day
- 21 Feb 2012 · nishita (midnight) at 22 Feb 2012 00:51: the tithi was already over
About Maha Shivaratri
The name Maha Shivaratri means "the great night of Shiva". The festival is celebrated mainly at night.
According to one tradition, Maha Shivaratri is the night when Shiva and the goddess Parvati were married.
Some accounts say Maha Shivaratri is the night when Shiva performs the Tandava, his cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction.
Many devotees fast on Maha Shivaratri. Some go without food and water, while others eat only fruit and milk.
Many devotees stay awake all night, often in temples, to pray and worship Shiva. This all-night vigil is called jagaran.
Devotees bathe the Shiva linga with milk, honey and other offerings, often while chanting "Om Namah Shivaya". They also offer it bilva (bael) leaves.
Dates and times are for Thāne, Maharashtra, India. Another town can differ by a day when a tithi changes close to sunrise. You can change the place above.
Also in this lunar month
- Vasant Panchami · 28 Jan 2012