
"Maha-Shivaratri" is a Hindu festival observed on the night of the fourteenth day of the dark half in the month of 'Magha', in Tamil 'Maasi', corresponding to the English months 'February—March', in honour of Shiva, one of the Hindu Trinity, representing the destructive aspect in the universe.Though generally, the night time is considered sacred and suitable for the worship of the feminine aspect of' the deity and the day time for that of' the masculine, yet on this particular occasion Shiva is worshipped during the night time, and as a matter of fact, it is specially enjoined to be observed then. The observance of the Vrat is believed to secure for the devotee immunity from the eftects of sin committed either wittingly or unwittingly. The night is divided into four quarters, each quarter going by the name of a Jama called also Yama and pious people keep awake during every one of it , worshipping Iswara.
The basic principle underlying the observance of the Maha-Shivaratri Vrat appears to be to emphasize the fact that death is sure to follow birth, night is sure to follow day,Pralaya, active cosmic life and so on, and consequently people should always bear in mind while enjoying the one its opposite and regulate their life accordingly. They should not be elated at success nor should they allow themselves to be carried away by despair at failures but always have trust in God and worship him.