How to Pronounce Shivaratri

Meaning and Context

Maha Shivaratri, translating to "The Great Night of Shiva," is a profound and widely observed Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities of the Hindu trinity. Celebrated annually on the 14th night of the dark fortnight in the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna (typically falling in February or March), it is a solemn occasion of spiritual significance rather than one of daytime revelry. Devotees engage in rigorous fasting (vrat), night-long vigil (jagaran), meditation, and the chanting of sacred mantras like the Mahamrityunjaya mantra. The rituals include the ceremonial bathing of the Shiva Linga with water, milk, honey, and bilva leaves, symbolizing purification and devotion. This sacred night is believed to commemorate the divine moment when Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction (Tandava), and it is also considered especially auspicious for spiritual awakening and seeking divine blessings. Major Shivaratri celebrations draw immense crowds to revered Shiva temples such as Pashupatinath in Nepal, Somnath in Gujarat, and Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, making it a pinnacle event for Hindu festivals and pilgrimage tourism.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term "Shivaratri" is a compound Sanskrit word, and its most common transliteration variations stem from the phonetic spelling conventions between languages and scripts. The standard and most widely accepted spelling is Shivaratri, often prefixed with "Maha" (meaning "Great") for the main annual festival. A frequent alternative spelling is Shivratri, omitting the middle "a," which is also correct and commonly used. Common misspellings and typos include "Shivratri," "Shiva Ratri" (treating it as two separate words), "Shivaratree," or "Shivratree," often resulting from phonetic guesses. It is also sometimes mistakenly written as "Shiva Ratra" or "Shiv Ratri." In South India, the festival is often referred to as Maha Sivaratri, using the "S" spelling, which is a direct transliteration from languages like Tamil and Telugu where the "Sh" sound is less common. Regardless of spelling, the term universally refers to the same significant nocturnal observance in Hindu culture.

Example Sentences

Devotees across India began their Shivaratri fast at sunrise, breaking it only after the night-long prayers and rituals the following morning.

The atmosphere at the ancient temple was electrifying during Maha Shivaratri, with the constant sound of bells and chants of "Om Namah Shivaya" filling the air.

Many believe that sincere worship on Shivratri can help one overcome the darkness of ignorance and attain moksha, or liberation.

Her family's tradition involved preparing a special offering of thandai, a milk-based beverage, as part of their Shiva Ratri observance.

To honor the occasion, he recited the entire Shiva Mahimna Stotram during his jagaran, or night vigil.

The documentary highlighted how Maha Sivaratri is not just a festival but a deeply personal journey of introspection and connection with the divine.

Related Pronunciations

• How to pronounce mleccha
• How to pronounce nritya
• How to pronounce ashwaghandha
• How to pronounce Siddhartha Gautama
• How to pronounce Neem Karoli Baba