March 11th is 2021’s Maha Shivaratri, The Great Night of Shiva honoring the Hindu deity of creation, protection and transformation. On Maha Shivaratri Shiva performs the heavenly dance believed to be the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. This solemn festival overcoming darkness and ignorance is observed with chanting, fasting and meditating on honesty, forgiveness, charity. Some devotees stay awake all night, some visit Shiva temples, some go on pilgrimage. It is said by chanting the well known ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ mantra 108 times in a day, you’ll receive Lord Shiva’s blessings.
photo: Shiva mural on the ghats on the Ganges, Varanasi