Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadeva, is one of the three Gods of Hindu Trinity. His abode is believed to be at Mt Kailash in the Himalayas. Shiva Ratri is said to be the night when Lord Shiva first appeared by His own Divine Grace. The words literally mean 'the night consecrated to Shiva' and falls on the fourteenth day of the waning moon in the month of Phalgun (according to the Hindu calendar). Maha Shiva Rathri is celebrated throughout India with much zeal and vigor. The devotees of Lord Shiva take a dip in the nearby river at dawn and go to the temples of Lord Shiva to offer their prayers along with Bilva leaves. They observe fast throughout the day.

According to Puranas, worshipping Lord Shiva on Maha Shivaratri cleanse one of all his or her sins. Even Viashnavas, the devotees of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, pray to Lord Shiva for his mercy on this day as they believe that He is the biggest devotee of the Lord and thus, can bless them with special devotion and access to the Lord. Gaudiya vaishnavas in Vrindavana visit the temple of Gopesvara Mahadeva and offer flower garlands and water from the Ganges to the Holy Linga there. It is believed that Lord Siva Himself appears in his idols and deities on this night. Many people keep awake all night and sing 'bhajans' and prayers in the praise of Lord Shiva. According to modern science, Maha Shiva Rathri marks transition from winter to spring.