Mahashivratri literally means “the great night of Shiva” and is celebrated in the Indian lunar month of Magha. Shivratri refers to the night before the new moon in every lunar month. District officials have received notifications to prepare for the festival which involves all-night celebrations. Traditionally, individuals gather together to chant, meditate and sing, while staying awake the whole night.
District development commissioners chaired meetings and reviewed the arrangements. Health departments have been notified to make necessary medical equipment ready, while the public works departments have been notified to ensure uninterrupted water and electricity to venues where celebrations will be held.
Major festival venues include Varanasi, in the north of the country, where the celebration takes place at various locales in the town. Varanasi is traditionally associated with Shiva, and is a major place of Shiva worship. In south India, major celebrations take place at the Velliangiri hills in Tamil Nadu, with several hundred thousand people gathering for the celebration. The Velliangiri hills are also a place of pilgrimage for Shiva devotees, who undertake a trek to the mountain peak at night.
The numbers involved are expected to be quite huge since the festival is a major part of Hindu culture. The festival is also celebrated in Nepal, and by Hindu communities worldwide.
