Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon). The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil. Ganja is traditionally used as an offering for Lord Shiva and his followers.

Per scriptural and discipleship traditions, 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.

Most Popular Festivals in Puri :

Makar Sankranti Saraswati Puja (Sri Panchami) Maha Shiva Ratri Phagu Dasami Holi (Dola Purnima) Ram Navami Sudasha Brata Maha Vishuba Sankranti Akshaya Trutiya Savitri Amabasya Pahili Raja Shitala Sasthi Bahuda Yatra (Hari Sayan Ekadasi) Chitalagi Amabasya Prathamastami Raksha Bandhan (Gamha Purnima) Ganesh Chaturthi Nuakhai Apara Paksha Dussehra (Garbhana Sankranti) Kumar Purnima Dipavali Uthapan Ekadasi (Panchuka) Kartik Purnima Manabasa Gurubar Snana Purnima Jhulan Purnima Chaitra Poornima Konark Dance Festivals Puri Beach Festival