Maha Shivaratri is a
Hindu festival celebrated annually in reverence of the god
Shiva. It is the day Shiva was married to the goddess
Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri festival, also popularly known as 'Shivaratri' (spelt as
Sivaratri,
Shivaratri,
Sivarathri, and
Shivarathri) or 'Great Night of Shiva', marks the convergence of Shiva and
Shakti. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month
Maagha as per Amavasya-ant month calculation. As per Poornima-ant month calculation, the day is Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month
Phalguna which falls in February or March as per the
Gregorian calendar. Of the twelve Shivaratris in the year, the Maha Shivarathri is the most holy.