This month, the Relations with Other Faiths Working Group sends warm greetings to the Hindu community as they prepare to celebrate Maha Shivatri.
Celebrated by Hindus in honour of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivaratri takes place this year on 20 February. The festival falls on the moonles, 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun. This equates to February / March in the Gregorian calendar.
Shivaratri is a very auspicious day, symbolising the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Shiva devotees keep fast on Shivaratri day and go to the Shiva Temple to worship by pouring milk and water on the Shiva Linga.
Worshippers dutifully follow all the traditions and customs related to Shivaratri festival, as they strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva, on this auspicious day, releases a person of sins and also provides liberation from the cycle of birth and death.