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Maha Shivaratri
Introduction & Top Questions References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
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A decorated black shivling is adorned with bel fruit, marigold flowers, leaves, and offerings during Maha Shivratri, with worshippers and ritual items surrounding it. Decorated palanquins adorned with yellow canopies and garlands are carried through a crowd during the Maha Shivratri festival in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India. Hindu priests in traditional attire perform Aarati with fire during Maha Shivratri at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, as a crowd of devotees watches and prays. Wedding of Shiva and Parvati
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A woman and her daughter smear color powder on one another's face on Holi, the Indian festival of colors.
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Maha Shivaratri: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Invalidated site: National Geographic - Why Maha Shivaratri is one of Hinduism’s holiest nights. Oct 14, 2026
Article revised. Aug 21, 2026
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Why Maha Shivaratri is one of Hinduism’s holiest nights. May 07, 2026
Updated spelling. Mar 30, 2026
Added a top questions section. Feb 03, 2026
Add new Web site: BBC Sounds - Patterns of Faith - Maha Shivaratri. Jul 15, 2025
Article revised. Feb 21, 2025
Add new Web site: Harvard University - The Pluralism Project - The Great Night of Shiva. Sep 19, 2024
Removed hyphen from title and revised discussion of the festival's date, practices, and meaning. Mar 07, 2024
Add new Web site: Learn Religions - Maha Shivratri: The Night of Shiva. Oct 19, 2023
Add new Web site: Academia - ShivaRatri as festival of communion inside Imagined Community of Naga�s. Aug 11, 2023
Date of holiday added. Jan 11, 2021
Add new Web site: IndiaNetzone - Maha Shivaratri Festival. Jan 07, 2014
Article revised and romanization changed. Mar 29, 2011
Added new Web site: British Broadcasting Corporation - Mahashivratri. May 19, 2009
Media added. Oct 15, 2008
Added new Web site: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha - Maha Shivaratri. Jan 23, 2007
Added new Web site: TajOnline.com - About Maha Shivaratri. Jan 23, 2007
Added new Web site: Shaivam.Org - Shiva Ratri Vratam. Jan 23, 2007
Added new Web site: Sanatan Sanstha - The Maha Shivratri Festival. Jan 23, 2007
Added new Web site: Datta Peetham - Maha Shivaratri. Jan 23, 2007
Added new Web site: Kashmiri Overseas Association - Mahashivaratri. Jan 23, 2007
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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