According to the Purnimanta Hindu calendar followed in North India, Maha Shivratri is celebrated in which month?

Maha Shivratri, the "Great Night of Shiva", is celebrated on the 14th day (Chaturdashi) of the dark half of the month of Phalguna, according to the Purnimanta calendar followed in North India. In the Amanta calendar followed in South India, the same day falls in the month of Magha. It usually falls in February or March.

Maha Shivratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva. Several legends explain its importance. According to one, it is the night when Shiva performed the Tandava, the cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction. Another says it marks the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Another legend says that on this night, Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of fire (the Jyotirlinga) to settle a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu. It is also believed that Shiva drank the poison (halahala) that emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to save the world, holding it in his throat, which turned blue, so he is called Neelkanth.

On Maha Shivratri, devotees fast, stay awake through the night (jagaran) and offer prayers to Shiva at temples. They pour milk, water, honey and curd on the Shiva lingam (abhisheka) and offer bael (bilva) leaves, which are dear to Shiva. They chant "Om Namah Shivaya" and sing devotional songs. Large crowds gather at the 12 Jyotirlinga temples and other Shiva temples, such as the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. The Natyanjali dance festival at the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, is held at this time, and a big fair is held at the Bhavnath temple at the foot of Mount Girnar in Gujarat.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Shravana is a month sacred to Shiva, with the Kanwar Yatra and Mondays of fasting, but Maha Shivratri falls in Phalguna.
• ✗Kartika is the month of Diwali.
• ✗Chaitra is the month of Ram Navami.