 
Maha
Shivratri, the night of the worship of Lord shiv , occurs on the 14th
night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna.
It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus offer special prayer
to the lord of destruction. Shivratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is the
night when he is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. The festival is observed for one day and one night only.
 Origin of Shivratri:
According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan,
a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were
terrified as it could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva
for help, he in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but
held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat
blue, and since then he came to be known as 'Nilkantha', the
blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event by which Shiva saved
the world.
 A Festival Significant for Women :
Shivratri
is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for
the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray
for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and
Durga. But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of
Shiva during Shivratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He or
she reaches the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth
and death.
Shiva Rituals:
On
the day of Shivratri, a three-tiered platform is built around a fire.
The topmost plank represents 'swargaloka' (heaven), the middle one
'antarikshaloka' (space) and the bottom one 'bhuloka' (earth). Eleven
'kalash' or urns, are kept on the 'swargaloka' plank symbolizing the 11
manifestations of the 'Rudra' or destructive Shiva. These are decorated
with the leaves of 'bilva' or 'bael' (Aegle marmelos) and mango
atop a coconut representing the head of Shiva. The uncut shank of the
coconut symbolizes his tangled hair and the three spots on the fruit
Shiva's three eyes.
 Bathing the Phallus:
The phallus symbol representing Shiva is called the lingam.
It is usually made of granite, soapstone, quartz, marble or metal, and
has a 'yoni' or vagina as its base representing the union of organs.
Devotees circumambulate the lingam and worship it throughout the
night. It is bathed every three hours with the 5 sacred offerings of a
cow, called the 'panchagavya' - milk, sour milk, urine, butter and dung.
Then the 5 foods of immortality - milk, clarified butter, curd, honey
and sugar are placed before the lingam. Datura fruit and flower, though poisonous, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered to him.
 "Om Namah Shivaya!":
All
through the day the devotees keep severe fast, chant the sacred
Panchakshara mantra "Om Namah Shivaya", make offerings of flowers and
incense to the Lord amidst ringing of temple bells. They maintain long
vigils during the night, keeping awake to listen to stories, hymns and
songs. The fast is broken only the next morning, after the nightlong
worship. In Kashmir, the festival is held for 15 days. The 13th day is
observed as a day of fast followed by a family feast.
 
From :
gauresh59
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