The great night of Shiva (Maha Shivaratri translation) has a secular tradition and always falls on the evening before the day of the new moon, between February and March (in the lunar months Phalguna, according to the Indian astrological system) and thus is a "movable feast ".
All temples in the city are decorated with bright lights and flowers.
On the evening of the festival throughout the night, thousands of People run along the banks of the Ganges River where they stop at intervals to visit the temples dedicated to God Shiva.
The Devotees offer milk, bhang (marijuana mixed with butter and milk),datura, flowers, fruit, and coconut to paintings and statues of Shiva or to the form of a lingam in the shape of a phallic symbol which also represents Shiva.
On the auspicious holiday, whoever passes the night awake and fasting are believed to gain great spiritual merit.
On The day of Mahashivaratri, devotes flock from early morning in large numbers to Varanasi’s Kashi Vishvanath, the main temple, to take part in religious activities and worship .
After sunset, the festival is concluded with a procession representing the wedding of Shiva and her consort Parvati. The celebration extends late into the nite, while, young people dance at the foot of deafening loudspeakers where music blasts from the latest Bollywood movie.