Mahashivratri

Several accounts coexist and no tradition insists on one. Shiva and Parvati married on this night. Shiva performed the tandava. The lingodbhava, Shiva appearing as an infinite pillar of light that neither Brahma nor Vishnu could find the end of. And the samudra manthan, when Shiva drank the halahala poison and held it in his throat, turning it blue, which is why the night is kept awake in vigil.

Fasting, and a night-long vigil in four praharas, with abhishekam of the linga at each, milk, curd, ghee, honey, water. Bilva leaves are essential. Om Namah Shivaya and the Maha Mrityunjaya are recited. Queues at Shiva temples run through the night.

Fasting, usually on fruit, milk and falahar, sabudana khichdi, singhare ka halwa, kuttu puri. Thandai is traditional, and in some regions bhang is added.

In Kashmir it is Herath, the biggest Pandit festival, observed over several days with distinct rituals. Ujjain, Varanasi, Somnath and Srisailam hold huge gatherings. In Tamil Nadu the Annamalaiyar temple at Thiruvannamalai is the focus. Nepal's Pashupatinath draws sadhus from across India.