Why do we celebrate Maha Shivaratri?

Maha Shivaratri is an annual festival of Hindu that is solely dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is celebrated in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar on 13th night or 14th day in late winter ( February/ March). Maha Shivaratri means,"the great night of Mahakaal". Unlike most of Hindu festivals which are celebrated during day, the Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. It is believed that on this day Mahashiv drank the lethal poisonous to protect the world. According to some other Puranas, this is the night when Shiva married Parvati. The ardent devotees keep fast all day long and do worship of Lord Shiva and chant mantra "Om Namah Shivaya". At night the celebration includes a "jaagaran'' and prayers in temples because this night does mark as overcoming

darkness and ignorancein one's life through Shiv.

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva and is considered one of the most important Hindu festivals. Different stories are associated with it, including the marriage of Shiva and Parvati or the night Shiva performed the cosmic dance called Tandava. Many people fast, visit temples, chant prayers, and stay awake at night during the festival. The atmosphere in Shiva temples becomes very energetic during Maha Shivaratri. Some people also see it as a spiritually powerful night for meditation and self-reflection. Honestly, beyond religion, the festival creates a very unique devotional and peaceful vibe for many devotees.