Maha Shivaratri or "Grand Night of Shiva" is a hindu festival celebrated every year in the Krishan Paksha of the Maagha Month of the Hindu Calendar.It is observed in honor of the Hindu God Shiva. Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the 14th night of the new moon of the Maagha month. Every year on this moonless night in February thousands of devotees worship Shiva and offer their prayers in the temple. It is believed that on this night he performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. On the auspicious day, devotees observe fast and keep vigil all night. It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Ma. On this day Shiva devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and bel (also called bael) leaves on Shiva Linga.

Another well known legend for this festival is that of Samudramanthan. When the sea was churned during Samudramanthan, dreadful poison emerged which was capable of destroying the entire world. At that time, the gods and the demons ran to Shiva for help. Lord Shiva drank the poison and held it in his throat instead of swallowing it much to the relief of the gods and demons. Because of the poison, lord shiva's throat turned blue and he was given the name Nilkantha, the blue-throated one. Shivratri is the celebration of this event by which Shiva saved the world.