Maha Shivratri Celebrated in Sri Lanka – A Hindu Festival Honouring Lord Shiva

Maha Shivratri, one of the most important Hindu festivals, was celebrated with devotion and joy across Sri Lanka on 8th March 2024. Translated as the “Great Night of Shiva”, this festival commemorates the night when Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees visited local kovils (Hindu temples) to offer prayers and perform rituals. Amongst these was the bathing of the Shiva lingam, a symbol of Shiva’s heavenly powers, with milk and honey; it was also decorated with Bael leaves, while a vermillion paste was applied on it as well.

A public holiday in Sri Lanka, Maha Shivratri is one of the local cultural festivals that tourists can experience as well. For example, those who stayed at a luxury hotel in Kandy during this time such as Hunas Falls had the opportunity to visit some of the area’s kovils to witness various rituals and customs associated with this revered day. At certain locations, travellers also had the chance to view processions that featured statues of Lord Shiva on decorated chariots that added to the charm of the festival.