The origins and history of Maha Shivaratri are deeply embedded in religious texts and Hindu mythology. One such striking legend is the story of Samudra Manthan. It is the story of when a pot of poison emerged from the ocean and had the potential to destroy the world. As the saviour of the world, Lord Shiva is said to have consumed the poison that turned his throat blue and gave him the name Neelkanth or the blue-throated God. Devotees recall this act of Lord Shiva churning the ocean as they celebrate Maha Shivaratri.

Another legend involves the story of a poor tribal man named Lubdhaka, an ardent worshipper of Lord Shiva. It is believed that when he was chanting Lord Shiva’s name as he worshipped the Shiva Lingam, he unknowingly dropped ‘bel leaves’ around it throughout the night. Pleased due to such devotion, he was rewarded with a protection shield from wild animals and blessings for divine bliss by Lord Shiva. The Shiva Purana also emphasises a story where it was on Maha Shivaratri that Lord Shiva appeared as a column of fire to end a dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma over their supremacy.

It is believed that during the night of Maha Shivaratri, Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees mark this day as they observe a night full of fasting (Maha Shivaratri Vrat) and the continuous chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya,’ also known as the Panchakshara mantra. The festival is seen as a pathway to attaining moksha or liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. It is also due to this sincere worship by the devotees that it is believed that this night liberates one of all their sins and grants them spiritual blessings.

The celebrations of Maha Shivaratri are made of various rituals that differ through different regions and communities but converge together to share a common core of religious divinity. The day begins as the devotees take a ritual bath with holy water from the Ganga and other holy rivers, followed by visiting Shiva temples to perform a traditional Shiva Lingum Puja. In this puja, the Shiva Lingam is bathed with a series of holy liquids, like milk, water, honey, yoghurt, and ghee, that symbolise the purification of one’s soul. Bel leaves are also offered along with other flowers, fruits, and incense sticks, which are considered sacred to Lord Shiva. On the day of Maha Shivaratri, devotees observe a strict fast as they consume only water or milk. Often, a lot of people forgo food and water entirely. On a night when everyone gathers to be a part of the Jaagran, they sing bhajans, chant prayers, and listen to religious explanations to symbolise their dedication to Lord Shiva. 

The festival of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated throughout India but holds unique customs and traditions across different states. The most significant celebrations of Maha Shivaratri take place at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, the home of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. It is the day when thousands of devotees from all over India and beyond come to be a part of the grand celebrations and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. Devotees start the celebrations by bathing in the holy river Kshipra, which is believed to wash their sins and purify their souls. Wearing clean, fresh clothes, they head to the Mahakaleshwar Temple carrying brass pots filled with holy water, milk and other offerings for the Puja. They form long queues as they patiently wait for their turn to perform the Shiva Lingum puja. The priests perform Abhishekems every three hours using a mixture of milk, yoghurt, honey, water, and sandalwood paste on the Shiva Lingam, which is accompanied by the chanting of Vedic Mantras, thus creating an atmosphere of devotion. In the evening, a grand procession takes place, and a beautifully decorated palanquin is carried with the idol of Lord Shiva through the city streets. Throughout the night, they take part in communal jaagrans, and finally, as dawn approaches, they break their fast with prasad offered at the temple.

Kashmir celebrates Maha Shivaratri as a 15-day affair that culminates in the night-long worship of Maha Shivaratri. The 13th day is observed as the day of fasting, which is followed by a family feast. In Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated with great passion and zeal at the Annamalaiyar temple in Tiruvannamalai. It is the day when they light a massive fire on the Annamalai Hills to symbolise Shiva, who appeared as the column of fire between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.

In Karnataka, devotees observe the festival by visiting the Murudeshwara Temple, famous for its towering statue of Lord Shiva, and performing special rituals and Abhishekams. In Maharashtra, devotees celebrate the day by making special lingams from clay or silver and decorating them with flowers, vermillion, and bel leaves. 

As devotees gather together to celebrate the spiritual festival of Maha Shivaratri, they are adorned in traditional attire with rich cultural and religious value.

Women across India are seen wearing the quintessential saree. It is a graceful and ornate staple that typically measures 6 to 9 yards in length and is draped around the body in various regional styles. Every draping style is inspired by the local culture and its aesthetic appeal. It is often paired with a blouse or a Choli and worn with an inner skirt. 

In most parts of India, women are adorned in handwoven sarees made by meticulous processes known only to generational craftsmen. Most women are seen wearing a Banarasi saree, which originates from Varanasi and is known for its rich silk fabric and intricate Zari work. It usually holds motifs inspired by Mughul art in designs like flowers, paisley, and leaves. They are particularly favoured for their luxurious appearance for the festive occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

Women celebrating Maha Shivaratri in the South of India usually wear Kanjivaram sarees, a popular choice due to their temple-inspired designs and vibrant colours. Usually made from pure Mulberry silk, they are known for their durability and grandeur. In Maharashtra, women are seen wearing Paithani sarees. Weavers use golden or silver threads to handweave peacock motifs on the saree and its rich silk characterises it. The Chanderi saree is one of the most popular choices worn by women of Madhya Pradesh and is known for its sheer and lightweight texture. 

The colours used for the sarees hold symbolic meanings. White enhances spiritual clarity and devotion as it is a symbol of purity and peace and a reflection of the serene nature of Lord Shiva. Red represents fertility, marital bliss and power and is associated with Goddess Parvati. Thus, women prefer it to signify the strength of the divine feminine. Yellow is worn to invite blessings for wisdom and enlightenment, as it denotes knowledge and learning. Green symbolises new beginnings and prosperity, which are linked with nature and fertility, thus seeking blessings for a bountiful life.

No matter where they are created regionally, they have similar motifs, such as the lotus, peacocks, elephants, floral patterns, and paisley designs, that represent human virtues such as purity, grace, strength, growth, fertility, and one’s divine essence.

Men wear a Dhoti, also known as a Mundu or Veshti, in certain regions, particularly in the South. It is a long piece of unstitched cloth around 4.5 m long and wrapped in a certain style around the waist and legs. It is a symbol of simplicity and marks one’s respect towards their cultural values. Most commonly seen in colours like white, they symbolise peace and purity. The Veshti and Mundu are decorated with golden borders made of zari that add a regal touch.

They usually pair this with a Kurta or an Angavastram. The Kurta is a long tunic-like shirt made from cotton, silk, or linen and worn over a Dhoti or a pyjama. Kurtas are usually found in different colours such as light blues, green, and yellow and often in floral patterns and paisleys designs. Kurtas are traditionally made of lustrous fabrics like silk and adorned with various embroidery techniques like Zari, Zardosi, and Chikankari.