Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivarathri (Great Night of Lord Shiva) is most auspicious night for Lord Shiva its more important than monthly Shivarathri. It is celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha month of the Hindu calendar.Celebrated in the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha(waning moon) of the month of Maagha.The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-long vigil(jagarana). All through the day the devotees, chant the sacred Panchakshara(Om Namashivaya) Manthra dedicated to Lord Shiva. In accordance with scriptural and discipleship traditions, penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's summum bonum steadily and swiftly.

There are three important reason to celebrate Maha Shivarathri

1. It is celebrate for remembrance and to thanks to Lord Shiva whom drink the poison of the churning ocean when asuras tried stealing the nectar of immortality and mistakenly its flow on the ocean and the same time LORD SHIVA get name as NEELAKANTHA.
2. Mahashivarathri also the day when SHIVA PA and PARVATHY MA vivaham/marriage occured.
3. Mahashivarathri also marks the night when Lord Shiv performed the "Tandava", the cosmic dance.
4. And its the favorite day of LORD SHIVA PA.

The ritual is same as monthly SHIVARATHRI ritual
According to the Shiva Purana, the Mahashivaratri worship must incorporate six items:

1. Bathing (Abishegam) Shiv Linga with water, milk and honey. Wood, apple or beal leaves are added to, which represents purification of the soul;
2. Vermilion paste is applied to the Shiv Linga after bathing it. This represents virtue;
3. Offering of fruits, which is conducive to longevity and gratification of desires;
4. Burning incense, yielding wealth;
5. The lighting of the lamp which is conducive to the attainment of knowledge;
6. And betel leaves marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures.
   
   MOST AUSPICIOUS MANTHRA,STOTHRAM,ASHTHAKAM
   
   • Maha Mrithunjaya 
   • Shri Shiva Mahimma Stotram
   • Sri Vishvanathasthakam
   • Lingasthakam
     
      
     
     Tripundra refers to the three horizontal stripes of holy ash applied to the forehead by worshipers of Lord Shiva. These stripes symbolise spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice of Yoga). They also represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva.
     Wearing a mala (rosary) made from the rudraksha seeds of the rudraksha tree (said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva) when worshiping Lord Shiva is ideal. A rudraksha seed is mahogany-like color, or could sometimes be black. They might also have traces of sacred sandalwood powder, turmeric, kumkum, or holy ash if the rosary is used in worship ceremonies.
     
     
     ALSO:
     In Nepal, millions of Hindus attend Shivaratri together from different part of the world at the famous Pashupatinath Temple. Thousand of devotees also attend Mahasivaratri at all the different famous Shiva Shakti Peetham of Nepal.
     On Mahashivratri, Nishita Kala is the ideal time to observe Shiva Pooja. On this day, in all Shiva's temples, the most auspicious Lingodbhava puja is performed.