Celebration in honor of Shiva begins with the sunrise in the day before the new moon in the spring month of phalgun. Hindu believers begin to prepare for the" great night of Shiva " in advance – observing a certain post and turning to the philosophical texts of Puranas that help to comprehend various aspects of Shiva. Before the festivities, the Indians travel to nearby ponds, where do the purifying ablution. In the late afternoon, in Indian towns and villages, believers flock with their families to the shivmandirs (temples of Shiva) to take part in the solemn service-Puja, where the deity is offered traditional sacrificial items - milk, water, bilva leaves, fruits, incense, oil lamps, etc.Celebration of Maha-Shivaratri in temples and at home altars continues all night.