One of the most significant nights in the Vedic tradition. This is not a celebration in the usual sense and not an external event. It is a time of deep inner work, conscious wakefulness, transformation, and direct contact with the energy of Shiva — the principle of liberation, dissolution of illusion, and renewal

The five-day program is hosted by the Vedic temple Shree Bhagawat Dham Sanatan Mandir. Events take place daily, from morning until late evening. The program includes pujas, spiritual practices, seva [selfless service], and collective ritual actions. Attendance during the festival days is open to everyone. Entry is free

The night from February 15 to February 16 [Sunday → Monday] is the central point of the entire event. This is not a concert and not a mass celebration. It is a night of conscious wakefulness and ancient Vedic practices performed without sleep until sunrise

The night program is organized separately and requires prior registration

February 15

• until 22:00 — completion of the festival day
• 22:00–00:00 — preparation for the night, attunement, silence

February 16

Practices are conducted under the joint guidance of the temple’s head priest [pandit]:

• 00:16 — Abhisheka of the Shiva Lingam
• 01:05 — Shiva Sahasranama [1008 Names of Shiva]
• 02:00 — fire meditation
• 03:00 — repetition of Shiva mantra
• 03:30 — deep inner meditation
• 04:20 — preparation and creation of a mandala
• 05:07 — yajna [fire ritual]
• 05:56 — pre-dawn meditation
• 06:44 — meeting the sunrise

The essence of this night is not action for the sake of form, but intention [sankalpa] and inner readiness for transformation. On this night, one does not ask — one aligns

To remain awake until sunrise, physical strength, mental stability, and the ability to sit for long periods without sleep are required. For this reason, preparatory trainings are held every Saturday at 7:00 AM for one and a half months prior to the festival, together with the temple’s head priest:

• January 3
• January 10
• January 17
• January 24
• January 31
• February 7

Participation is free and open to everyone, regardless of experience

Each session lasts 1 hour and includes:

• 15 minutes — work with a Shiva mantra, japa on mala beads [108 × 11 rounds]
• 15 minutes — five mantras [Ganesha, Surya, Vishnu, Devi, Hanuman], 108 repetitions each
• 3 minutes — short break: walking, body loosening
• 5 minutes — alternate nostril breathing
• 5 minutes — intensive breathing
• 10 minutes — meditation: returning the mind, concentration
• 5 minutes — concluding Shiva mantra [108 repetitions]
• 2 minutes — voice work, chanting the mantra "Om"

All instructions are given before the session. Teaching is provided in Russian and English. Sessions are recorded on video. After each training, there is review, feedback, and guidance for correcting mistakes and difficulties

Night Practice [February 15–16]

• participation by prior registration only
• limited number of places
• paid participation [small contribution for ritual materials]
• entry strictly according to registration lists
• registration closes on Feb 5, 2026

Festival Days and Saturday Trainings

• free of charge
• open to all

Maha Shivaratri is the night when the energy of Shiva is more strongly present on Earth than usual. Shiva is not a god in the conventional sense, but a principle — the source of transformation, purification, and liberation. On this night, Shiva manifests as Mahadeva, the highest of the Devas, capable of altering karma. Shiva represents freedom. He creates, dissolves, and restores without attachment to results

During this night, one comes into contact with five manifestations of Shiva's energy:

• Chit Shakti — the power to transform karma and consciousness
• Ananda Shakti — the energy of happiness and inner bliss
• Iccha Shakti — the power of true desire and intention
• Jnana Shakti — the energy of understanding and discernment
• Kriya Shakti — the energy of action and realization

On Maha Shivaratri, only true desires are fulfilled — those that arise instantly, without doubt. If reflection is required, the desire is not authentic

The Vedic tradition describes four goals of human life:

• Dharma — purpose and the righteous path
• Artha — material stability and realization
• Kama — joy, life energy, pleasure
• Moksha — liberation

Purpose → achievement → enjoyment → liberation. Balance among them is attained through three key qualities:

• Vairagya — non-attachment
• Viveka — discernment
• Vichara — inner inquiry

Intention [sankalpa] is not a wish or a dream. It is an inner decision strengthened by clarity and will. On the night of Maha Shivaratri, sankalpa is addressed directly to Shiva — as the principle of freedom and transformation. Classical practices of this night include:

• forming a true sankalpa
• fasting [vrata]
• mantra repetition "Om Namah Shivaya"
• puja and abhisheka of the Shiva Lingam
• jagarana — staying awake until dawn

True freedom is not an achievement, but the realization that one has always been free. Shiva is the symbol of this freedom. Maha Shivaratri is an opportunity not to ask — but to remember

Om Namah Shivaya