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Mahashivratri

Celebrate the creation of the cosmos

Mahashivratri is an ancient festival whose origins are lost to memory, that celebrates the ‘great night of Shiva’, the destroyer in Indian mythology. One legend claims, this was the night Lord Shiva performed the ‘tandav’ – the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Another says this was the night Shiva and Parvati were married, representing the union of male and female energies. After a day of ritualistic fasting, self-reflection, and chanting, devotees stay awake during the night in honor of Lord Shiva. Religious pilgrimages to temples and shrines associated with Lord Shiva are also undertaken during this period.

Image credits: Carrotmadman6, CC-BY

Activities from the Destination

Places of interest to weave into your itinerary

  • Boating on the Ganges, Varanasi

    Boating on the Ganges

    Renew your wedding vows or listen to a flutist as you cruise down the Ganges

  • Dev Deepawali

    Dev Deepawali

    A festival of lights for the gods illuminated by a thousand oil lamps

  • Riverside Rituals

    Markets & Riverside Rituals

    Feel the pulse of Varanasi

  • Private Kathak performance

    Witness the dance tradition of royal courtesans

  • Ramlila Dasratha

    Ramnavami Ramlila

    Experience Varanasi's Dussehra celebrations of dance-dramas

  • Sarnath ruins & museum

    Retrace India's Buddhist heritage at the 'tree of enlightenment'

  • Holy Man in Varanasi

    Secular Trail

    Learn of Varanasi's secular faiths

  • Unwind with Yoga

    Unwind with Yoga

    Learn India's oldest wellness practice

    Favourite Activities in India

Related Activities

Immersive, thematic activities to explore destinations

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    Ambubachi Mela

    Glimpse the Tantric traditions of a fertility festival

    Guwahati

  • Kannur Theyyam, travel destinations in india

    Theyyam

    Watch an animistic festival in all its glory

    Kannur

  • Kochi Muziris Biennale

    Kochi-Muziris Biennale

    Delve into one of India's most definitive art festivals

    Cochin

    Favourite Activities in India
  • Ramlila Dasratha

    Ramnavami Ramlila

    Experience Varanasi's Dussehra celebrations of dance-dramas

    Varanasi

  • Pongal

    Pongal

    Celebrate Tamil Nadu's most popular festival

    Chennai

  • RIFF

    Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF)

    Witness folk music traditions from across the world

    Jodhpur

  • Khajuraho Dance Festival

    Khajuraho Dance Festival

    Experience traditional Indian dance performances

    Khajuraho

  • Mahashivratri Festival

    Mahashivratri

    Celebrate the creation of the cosmos

    Varanasi

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