From the archive record
The purification rituals at Maha Shivratri include bathing the Shiv Ling (shivaling) with water, milk, curd, ghee, coconut water and honey. The worship of Lord Shiva consists in offering flowers, leaves of the stone apple tree, fruits and other gifts on the Linga. Maha Shivratri (the 'Great Night of Shiva') is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. The Mahashivratri festival, also much popular as 'Shivratri' or 'Great Night of Lord Shiva', is observed on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha every year on the month of Maagh according to the Hindu calendar. Alternate common spellings include Sivaratri, Shivaratri, Sivarathri, and Shivarathri. It marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hi