Maha Shivaratri (Sanskrit: महा शिवरात्रि Mahā-Śivarātri) – the great night of Shiva. The night of Shivaratri symbolizes the night of spiritual awakening and self-realization. The night of Shivaratri usually occurs in February or March.

The exact date can change as it depends on the lunar calendar and varies each year according to the phases of the moon.

The celebration takes place on the 14th night of the dark fortnight, just before the new moon. At that time, the moon is in the sign of Aquarius - Kumbha Rashi, which is considered auspicious for Shiva.

On the night of Shivaratri, yogis glorify Shiva, the Lord of Yoga. It is an important time for asceticism, meditation, and chanting the Shiva mantra to strengthen the spiritual connection with Shiva, the Supreme Consciousness. It is also an opportunity to get rid of inner obstacles, release what hinders spiritual growth, and achieve a deeper inner transformation and purification of consciousness. It is one of the most important celebrations in the yoga tradition, an opportunity for inner renewal and reaching higher consciousness. This night is especially favorable for intense spiritual yoga practice, as meditation becomes deeper and the mind calmer. On the night of Shivaratri meditation, the yoga practitioner seeks to overcome his limitations in order to experience higher states of consciousness. He concentrates on Shiva as the supreme yogi, Adi Yogi, who is the symbol of this transformation.

For a yoga practitioner, it is highly beneficial to spend the night of Shivaratri at the Guru's ashram. At the Mai Ram Yoga Ashram, meditation, worship, and offering ceremonies are held on this night - rituals (Shivaratri) are performed. The symbolism of the offerings is the surrender of ego (giving oneself to the divine), letting go of personal attachments, desires, and passions, which brings one closer to Shiva, the state of absolute consciousness. People coming to the ashram offer symbols of the causal, subtle, and physical bodies, i.e., flowers, fruits, incense, candles, and a monetary offering. During Shivaratri, water is offered which reflects inner purity; milk is offered as a symbol of love and devotion; honey is offered as a symbol of harmony and the sweetness of life; ghee butter is offered as a symbol of inner fire and strengthening of willpower; yogurt is offered as a symbol of stability and peace; the offering of bilva leaves and flowers symbolizes the transcendence of the three gunas; a fire ritual is performed, symbolizing through the fire offering the purification of mind and karma, devotion to the spiritual path, and the awakening of inner light. Other offering ceremonies are also performed, reflecting inner sacrifice, releasing attachments and negative thoughts.

Shivaratri sadhana is meant for everyone who desires to strengthen their spiritual connection with the Supreme Consciousness – Shiva.

Usually, practitioners gather at the ashram before midnight. For this special night, participants must arrive at the practice washed and dressed in clean, white clothes. Upon arrival, it is important to maintain silence (mauna), striving to maintain inner serenity and focus for the practice.

The date and start time of Shivaratri night are announced in the news section of the website and on Mai Ram Yoga's social networks. Those who cannot come to the ashram can watch the live broadcast of the Shivaratri night practice via the Zoom platform.