There are three reasons to celebrated Maha Shivaratri:

1. It is believed that on this day at midnight, Sadashiv appeared in the form of “Lingodbhav Moorti”. Due to this reason “Shivlingam abhishekham” or the phallic idol coronation is performed by the devotees and the whole night they keep vigil.

2. On this day Lord Shiva married Parvati.

3. During this day during the stirring of ocean, Lord Shiva swallowed the deadly poison and hence his throat changes into blue color. Therefore, Shivaratri is celebrated to thank God for protecting the human beings from destruction.

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated as per the Hindu lunar calendar on the 14^th day of the dark fortnight of the Magh month that is during February or March.

The Hindus go the temples of Shivaji to worship. Some persons even observe fasting. The devotees offer fruits, coconut, leaves of Bhilva, divine food to Shivaji and his divine spouse Parvati. The devotees light candles and earthen lamps at night.