Mahashivaratri Day is an important religious festival in Sri Lanka dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity. The holiday is observed yearly by the Hindu population in Sri Lanka; it usually falls in February or March, depending upon the lunar calendar. This sacred day is marked by fasting, night-long vigils, and the offering of special prayers and flowers at Shiva temples across the country.
On Mahashivaratri, devotees believe the heavenly action of Lord Shiva's dance of creation, preservation, and destruction occurs. The worship commences before dawn and continues throughout the night. Devotees bathe at sunrise, ideally in the Ganga, or any other holy water source. This ritualistic bath is believed to clean the sins and after that, they wear clean clothes and proceed towards the Shiva temples.
In Sri Lanka, the celebrations are profound, and the temples are adorned with beautiful decorations. Mal keppuwa, or the flower offering, is a significant aspect of worship on this day, with devotees presenting Lord Shiva with flowers of various vibrant colors. Bohi Pradanaya is another important ritual, where devotees offer milk, yogurt, honey, and other items to Lord Shiva. Chanting of 'Om Namah Shivaya', a sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva, increases tenfold in the temples, enhancing the spiritual ambiance of the festival.