There is a Shivaratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, on the month's 13th night and 14th day, but once a year in late winter February or March, or Phalguna and before the arrival of spring marks Maha Shivaratri.
It marks a remembrance of overcoming darkness and ignorance in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, noninjury to others, forgiveness and the discovery of Shiva.
