("Shiva's
Night") The most significant yearly celebration for Shiva worshippers
(bhakta), held on the sixteenth day of the dark (waning) half of the lunar
month Phalgun (February–March).
On this night, Shiva worshipers are reported to obtain
unrestricted religious advantages.
The festival's observances are divided into three
categories: fasting (upavasa), wakefulness, and worship.
Those fasting on Shivaratri must avoid all grains, which distinguishes
between a "snack" and a "meal," but are otherwise allowed
to eat anything they choose.
Observers remain up all night, preferably at a temple,
telling and listening to stories of Shiva's epic achievements, then worship
Shiva the following morning.
Shivaratri is a prominent Indian event, and the readings and
talks are broadcast through loudspeakers in numerous locations so that people
who live nearby might benefit from the religious significance.
The festival's founding story explains the potency of any
religious observances carried out on this day, even if unintentionally.
According to legend, on the evening of Shivaratri, a hunter
lost in the woods climbs a tree for protection and spends the night.
Unbeknownst to him, at the base of the tree lies a linga,
Shiva's symbolic form, a pillar-shaped thing.
The hunter spends a cold and unpleasant night shaking the
tree, sending dew and leaves as sacrifices to the linga; upon descending the
tree, he kneels to pick up an arrow he fell during the night, and so kneels
before the linga.
Despite a lifetime of negative karma brought on by his
employment as a hunter, the religious merit derived through this unaware
observance led this hunter to Shiva's abode upon his death, and to a subsequent
reincarnation as a king.
