‘Maha Shiv-Raatri’ means ‘The Great Night of Shiva’. It was observed on March 10, 2013. ‘Shiva’ means that which is auspicious, divine, pure and holy. It is one of the manifold names of God. Supreme holiness can only be represented by the Supreme—God. Only God can be untainted, untouched, unpolluted, unaffected and distanced from impurity, illusion and egoism. This One God, called by numerous nomenclatures, who is of such state, is to be reached, achieved, communicated and merged with by humans. He is the goal of life; the aim of the soul; and ideal liberator.

Shiv-Raatri affords the opportunity to begin to traverse the path by which He (Shiva) can be reached and merged with. On the other hand, who have already started this travel to culminate with that Supreme holiness; Shiv-Raatri offers them an opportunity to strengthen and enhance that path.
It is a time for introspection and reflection; a time when we identify all shortcomings, imperfections, ego and delusion and seek corrective measures to better life in general, but the spiritual aspect in particular.
Indeed, Shiv-Raatri is a night of spiritual power, faith, devotion, sincerity and absolute surrender to God (Shiva).
Hindu mythology depicts Lord Shiva with many signs and symbols, each of which has powerful messages for us — lessons that help us walk always the path of spirituality.
The meditation posture in which Lord Shiva is depicted is the very first lesson to learn. That position represents Omniscience and Oneness with the universe.
Shiva has a crescent moon and a lock of matted hair through which the Ganges flows. The moon represents the stillness and tranquility of the mind. The lesson here is that we should seek to make the mind same so that inner peace can be experienced. The movement of time is also another meaning of the moon.
The matted hair symbolises the realms of the soul and its journey to achieve purity, spiritual wisdom and union with God. The flowing of the Ganges represents the purity and spiritual wisdom the soul has to attain for it to become one with the Supreme.
The snake coiling around him may appear to be horrifying and dangerous, but it has lofty significance. It signifies spiritual powers and cosmic energies and also, the Supreme command and control God has over nature. Moreover, the snake around Him stands for fearlessness and power to remove fearlessness. The trident he wields represents the sharpness of the mind to conquer vices and journey to unite with the Supreme.
In essence, Shiv-Raatri is an opportunity to begin to realise the latent, divine self within. It is ideally a spiritual observance and reminder of the need for spirituality.