ShivaRatri - Lord Shiva's Divine Darkness!

Day is bright... no one needs a guide..
but Night is the darkest.. even our shadow fears to accompany us.
Most of the Gods and Goddesses worships are performed during the day time
Only Lord Shiva is the god with his rituals performed during the night!

Shivaraatri... the day falling on Monday acquires great prominence. 
Monday is the favourite day of Lord Shiva and Monday is associated with planet moon (according to our astrology moon is considered as a planet.. though a satillite.. ). Moon is associated with our thought flow and he is adorned in the head of Lord Shiva. Worshipping Lord Shiva on this day has great impact on our thought flow and confidence.

Lord Shiva loves Abhishekam. Abhishekam with panchamrutham.
Panchamrutam - cow milk, cow ghee, sugar or sugarcane juice, honey and mashed banana are mixed and with chanting OM NAMAH SHIVAYA just pour it over the Shivalinga.. He is sure to tie the Heavenly Cow Kamadhenu in your compound says the puranas. It cools our burning desirous heart too. Just pouring water and placing maaredu dalam on shivalingam is the simplest way to please Mahadeva.

Shivaraatri is the occasion that starts with early morning abhishekam for Lord Shiva and the day continues in fasting. One can take the prasad of abhishekam milk through out the day to sustain energy (if they are not strong enough to fast completely without taking water too.) Children and women are exempted from such severe fasting.

The Pradosha Kaala pooja of Lord Shiva is the holiest time of Worship.
Just chant the mahamantra.. Om Namah Shivaya as long as u please to chant... he is sure to bestow himself to u.

The night of Bahula Chaturdasi of every month is maasa sivaraatri.
Only the Magha Bahula Chaturdasi... is taken as the day when Lord Shiva revealed himself in Linga form... and also the day of Shiva Parvati Kalyanam. The stroke of midnight is considered as the Kalyana Sumuhurtham of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The famous Shiva temple at Srisailam is all decorated to celebrate this auspicious occasion every year and thousands of pilgrims throng to witness this holy event during the night.

The continuous meditation during this night bestows one with the nearness of Lord Shiva and his Tattva..

Shiva... the Lord of contrasts..
Lord Shiva is the only God who is associated with the darkest night of the calender.. Amavasya.
His abode is the whitest Himalayas...
With snakes worn as ornaments, scattered hair spreading loosely.. Divine Ganga bound in the locks of hair
unthinkable third eye.. unconquerable poison in his throat
His consort is the Shakti..Goddess Parvati
ash powder Vibhoodi all over his body
two great sons.. Lord of Obstacles Vinayaka and the mighty Divine armies Commander Subrahmanya-- with mouse and peacock to tread wth..
Nandi the Holy Bull of Shiva, snakes worn as ornaments, Lord Shiva rules over his family as true Pashupati

Om Mrityunjaya Mahadeva - Trahimaam Sharanaagata

Janma Mrityu Jaraavyaadhi - Samsaara Bhaya Naasanam