Mahashivaratri, Siva's great night, venerates Parashiva. Devotees of Siva consider it the most holy night of the year.

Mahashivaratri is the night before the new-moon day in February-March. We observe it both as a discipline and a festivity, keeping a strict fast and all-night vigil, meditating, intoning Siva's 1,008 names, singing His praise, chanting Shri Rudram, bathing the Sivalinga and being near the vairagis as they strive to realize Parashiva. The Vedas proclaim, "The Lord, God, all-pervading and omnipresent, dwells in the heart of all beings. Full of grace, He ultimately gives liberation to all creatures by turning their faces toward Himself." Aum Namah Sivaya.

All Hindus consider it most important to live near a temple, and we build one wherever we find ourselves in the world. This is a most meritorious act, earning blessings in this life and the next. Religious life centers around the temple. It is here in God's home that we nurture our relationship with the Divine. Not wanting to stay away too long, we visit the temple at least weekly, and we strive to attend each major festival, when the shakti of the Deity is most powerful. Devout Siva bhaktas attend daily puja in the temple. All Siva bhaktas visit the temple on Siva's most sacred day of the year, Mahashivaratri. Being the homes of the Gods and God, temples are approached with great reverence and humility. Draw near the temple as you would approach a king, a governor, a president of a great realm, anticipating with a little trepidation your audience with him. The Vedas say, "May the Lord find pleasure in our song of praise! Priest among men, may he offer due homage to the heavenly beings! Great, O Lord, is your renown." Aum Namah Sivaya.

This special sacred night, Mahasivaratri, will soon be here. Make it the most important spiritual event of your life. Remembering your goal, which is God Realization, the purpose of human birth, draw close to God Siva. Climb to the top of Mount Kailas within yourself, experience the presence of God Siva within as your very Self, permeating the entire universe. Prepare yourself for this great night by performing your sadhanas to perfection. Never forget the power of one life lived in perfection. You are a microcosm within yourself. Clean your home, make your heart a pure fountain of love, strive for harmony in your joint and extended family, with the families of all devotees and everyone you know. Fill the mind with thoughts of Siva. Begin now, clearing the mind, climbing daily within toward the summit of God-Realization.

Our most sacred night of the year is approaching, and we all want this to be the best, most wonderful and profound festival ever. We can make it that, or we can make it an ordinary night. It is within our power to do either, but we can't do both. So let's make it a time of being as close to God Siva as we possibly can. Isn't that our purpose for coming to this planet? You can make your mind a perfect place, full of thoughts of God within, so full that other thoughts seem insignificant by comparison.

On Sivaratri night, chant silently Siva's perfect mantra, Aum Namasivaya. We want to enjoy ourselves on Sivaratri night. Spiritual life is joyous life. The more joyous we are, the closer we are to the Source of joy and bliss. So, be happy on Sivaratri. Sing with a full heart. See God in everyone and in everything. Forget all the problems life brings. Forget all of the pains of the past and the not- yet-remembered future. Of course, we will be fasting, and that will help us feel the bliss of our Self as it permeates the world around us. And we will all be thinking of Siva, only of Siva. If your mind wanders, bring it back to Siva's feet. Let Siva's presence fill you completely during the night.