● Hindu · Festival
Mahashivaratri
महाशिवरात्रि
The great night when Shiva dances the Tandava and devotees stay awake in vigil
Mahashivaratri ('Great Night of Shiva') falls on the 14th night of the dark fortnight of Phalguna. On this night Shiva is said to perform the Tandava — his cosmic dance of creation and destruction. Devotees fast and stay awake all night, chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' and pouring water, milk, or honey over Shiva Lingams. The night is divided into four praharas (watches), each with a specific ritual. It is also associated with the night of Shiva and Parvati's wedding.
Great Night of ShivaSivaratri
See it as a constellationTap connections to travel, one hop at a timePlaces
Festivals
A 60-second practice
Sit in the dark tonight for one minute — no phone, no light. Let the silence surround you. Shiva's energy is in that fertile darkness that precedes creation.
An all-night celebration; the four praharas span the night hours.
Keep this offering free
MyBrahman is free and ad-free for everyone. If it has given you something, dāna keeps the lamp lit.
Educational purposes only. Compiled from general reference sources and not reviewed by any religious authority. No disrespect is intended to any deity, tradition, scripture or community. For authoritative guidance, consult qualified scholars and primary texts.