When: Krishna paksha Chaturdashi (14th night of the waning moon) of Magha in amanta reckoning — Phalguna in purnimanta; the same night.1
About
Devotees fast until they have worshipped Shiva and many keep an all-night vigil (jagarana), bathing the linga with water, milk and honey.1
The night is linked with Shiva’s cosmic dance, his wedding to Parvati and his swallowing of the Halahala poison.1
At Gokarna it is celebrated with a chariot procession.2
Where to go next
Mahabaleshwar Temple, GokarnaHome of the Atmalinga, Shiva’s own linga, which devotees may touch; one of Karnataka’s seven Muktisthalas.
Sri Manjunatha Temple, DharmasthalaA Shiva temple served by Vaishnava priests and administered by a Jain family, with the Dharma Daivas.
AI-created illustrationNilakantha: the poison in Shiva’s throatWhy Shiva is called the blue-throated one.
Sources
- Encyclopedia Maha Shivaratri — Wikipedia · accessed 2026-11-08
- Encyclopedia Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna — Wikipedia · accessed 2026-11-08
Researched 2026-11-08 from the cited sources. Community corrections are welcome; traditions differ, and differences are shown rather than resolved.