Happy Maha Shivratri 2018 – when is it this year, what’s it about and why is it celebrated?
People flock to major temples as the festival is celebrated by Hindus
IT is a Hindu celebration which takes places just before Spring arrives.
But what is the celebration about and how do people mark it?
What is Maha Shivratri?
It means "the great night of Shiva" and comes from a popular legend.
During the great mythical churning of the ocean - Samudra Mantahn - a pot of poison emerged.
It was said to have the potential to burn the whole world.
The only one who could get rid of it was Lord Shiva - but as his stomach represents the universe, if any of the poison entered it the world would be destroyed.
He held it in his throat, which turned dark blue as the poison took effect.
Maha Shivaratri is a day where Hindus thank Lord Shiva for protecting them from the poison.
How is it celebrated?
People flock to major temples as the festival is celebrated by Hindus.
In central India it is celebrated enthusiastically.
In Nepal music and dance fills the night as holy rituals are performed.
Married women pray for their husbands and unmarried women pray they will have a husband like Lord Shiva.
In Indo-Caribbean communities people spend the night in temple giving offerings to Shiva.
It is traditional to fast during the celebration and instead eat simple foods.
People tend to eat milk, yogurt, fruit and milk.
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When is it this year?
There is a Shivaratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, on the months' 13th night or 14th day.
But once a year in late winter Maha Shivaratri is celebrated.
This year it falls on February 24.
In Nepal it is a national holiday.
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