Mahashivaratri మహాశివరాత్రి
February–March (Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi)
About Mahashivaratri
Mahashivaratri ("Great Night of Shiva") is one of the most important Hindu festivals, observed on the 14th night of the dark fortnight in Phalguna month. Devotees fast, stay awake all night, and visit Shiva temples.
Significance
The night commemorates Shiva's cosmic dance (Tandava) and, in some traditions, the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Worshipping Shiva on this night is considered especially auspicious.
Telangana's Shiva Temples
Key temples in Telangana for Mahashivaratri:
- Yadadri (Yadadri Bhuvanagiri): Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple, also near Yadagirigutta Shiva temple
- Vemulawada (Rajanna Sircilla): Rajeshwara Swami temple (one of the largest Shiva temples in Telangana)
- Keesaragutta (near Hyderabad): Ancient Shiva cave temple
- Somasila (Sangareddy): On the Krishna river banks