The festival this year comes the night of Friday, Feb 12, when several communities are planning an all-night vigil.

According to Hindu mythology, Shivaratri or 'Shiva's Great Night' symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Many also believe Shivaratri is the night Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya - the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.

Celebrating the festival in a customary manner, devotees give a ritual bath to the Lingam.

Celebrations mainly take place at night. Devotees throng Shiva temples and spend 'the Night of Lord Shiva' by chanting verses and hymns in praise of the Lord.

The festival holds special meaning for the ladies. They pray to Goddess Parvati also called 'Gaura', the giver of 'suhag' for good husbands, marital bliss and a long and prosperous married life.

The festival traditionally falls on the 13th or the 14th night of the new moon during Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Phalgun.

The Sanskrit term Krishna Paksha means the period of waning moon or the dark fortnight, and Phalguna corresponds to the month of February/ March in the Gregorian (English) calendar.