Mahashivratri is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with great enthusiasm. It is celebrated on the Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the month of Falgun( The last month in Hindu lunar calendar). Mahashivratri as the name indicates, is the great night of Shiva. It is believed to be the day of the union of Shiva and Shakti. The planetary position on this night is such that there is a powerful natural upsurge of energy in the human system. While there is a shivratri in every month of hindu calander, only the one occouring on 13th night - 14th day of waning moon in the month of falgun is celebrated as maha-shivratri. Astronomically, it is the darkest night of the year.

Kartik, the eighth month of the Hindu calendar is the holiest and most significant month for the Hindus. Many important festivals such as Karwa Chauth, Ahoi Ashtami, Deepawali, Gowardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhat Puja fall in this month. The Ekadash(eleventh day) after Deepavali is called Devuthana. It marks the end of Chaturmas. Lord Vishnu wakes up and is the time to begin auspicious celebrations like marriages. The month ends on the Full moon day or the Kartik Purnima which is an important and most auspicious day. It is celebrated by the Sikhs and Jains as well.