Maha Shivratri is also hailed as the biggest night of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated on the Chaturdashi Tithi, Krishna Paksha (fourteenth day of the Lunar Cycle’s waning phase) in Phalguna or Magha months (as per the Purnimant or Amavasyant calendars, respectively). This auspicious day commemorates the wedding anniversary of the Lord and his consort, Devi Parvati. It also marks the day when the Linga form of Mahadev first came into being. Therefore, the Maha Shivratri festival is of great significance. On this day, devotees observe a day-long vrat and perform puja during Nishita Kaal (midnight)

A wooden chowki (platform for placing the Shiva Linga or the metallic idol of Lord Shiva) A Shiva Linga or an idol made of Pancha Dhatu or an image of Lord Shiva/ An oil lamp Sesame oil or mustard oil or ghee for the lamp A matchbox Cotton wicks Camphor for aarti Gandham (perfume or itra) Pushpam (Datura flowers, white crown flowers, roses, Rajnigandha or any other flower). You may offer all or any one of these flowers. Dhoop (Incense sticks/ Agarbatti and Dhoop) Naivedhya (vegetarian food preparations without onion and garlic) Fruits (five or more varieties of fruits and banana). You may even offer one fruit.  Vilva (Bel patra). This is one of the most important offerings. Dry fruits – dried dates and other dry fruits (optional) Tamboolam – consisting of paan, supari, dakshina, and one brown coconut with husk broken into two. Chandan (sandalwood paste) Akshat (raw rice mixed with turmeric) Vibhuti (sacred ash) Panch Patra (silver, brass or copper) for performing puja and Achamaniya. Avoid steel. Trays for arranging all the offerings Janeu (sacred thread) Kalava  Gulal Three fresh unused pieces of cloth (preferably white) – one for covering the chowki, one for offering Vastra to Lord Shiva and the last one for wiping the idol after Abhishek. Panchamrit (optional). For this, you would need a banana, honey, mishri (sugar crystals), ghee, raisins. For Abhishek – Gangajal, water, honey, ghee, milk and curd. You can perform Abhishek only if you are using a Shiva Linga or an idol of Lord Shiva). Gangajal for cleansing the puja area Water for various rituals

Dhyana – Connect your inner self with the deity. Asana – Respectfully place Lord Shiva’s idol or the Shiva Linga on a chowki (a wooden platform) covered with a piece of unused white cloth. Light an oil lamp. Padya – Sprinkle some water on the Lord’s feet. Arghya – Offer water to the Lord. Achaman – Pour some water on your right palm with an udrani and consume it. Snana – Sprinkle some water on the deity. You may use water, milk, Gangajal, honey, curd etc., for the Abhishek if the idol is made of metal or a Shiva Linga). Vastra – Offer a fresh piece of white cloth to the deity. You may even offer a piece of Kalava. Yagnopaveeth – Offer the sacred Janeu and Akshat to the Lord Gandha – Offer Chandan paste or natural perfume Pushpa – Offer Datura flowers, Vilva leaves (Bel Patra) etc Dhoop – Offer incense sticks (agarbatti/ dhoop) Deep – Offer an oil lamp Naivedhya – Offer bhog to God. It could consist of fruits or any sattvic recipe that you have prepared. (You may also offer the Tamboolam, which consists of paan, supari, one brown coconut broken into two, dakshina, banana and/or some fruits) Pradakshina or Parikrama/ circumambulate – stand up on your feet and turn around from your right. Do the Aarti. Pushpanjali – Conclude the puja by offering flowers and doing pranam.