Maha Shivaratri (Night of Shiva or "Great Night of Shiva") is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahan or Gujarati Vikram) or Phalguna (as per Vikram) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon).

On this festival the devotees offer leaves of Bael (Bilva) to the Lord Shiva. Devotees fast on this day. Ganja is traditionally used as an offering for Lord Shiva and his followers.The penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach the goal more swiftly and avoid rebirth.