Lord Shiva is the creator, destroyer and preserver of the universe - both terrible and gentle. Destruction and Recreation taking place in a cycle. He is a representation of the Supreme Being and a part of the Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.
Shiva is often shown with many faces, as creator, destroyer and preserver. He contains both good and evil. He blesses his devotees with grace, knowledge, peace, and he protects them from the evil that may be around them.
Mahavshivratri is a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer. It is celebrated during the night and day, just before the new moon. Every new moon that we have in the year is dedicated to Shiva, but this one is especially special – because it is the same night as to when he did his "Tandav" dance. This festival also celebrates the wedding of Shiva and Sati. The night represents evil, injustice, ignorance, sin, violence and misfortune. Tradition says that Shiva (symbolized by the new moon) appeared to save the world from darkness and ignorance, before the world entered complete darkness.
On the day of Mahashivratri, devotees of Lord Shiva fast on that day and stay up all night at the temple. Seasonal fruits, root vegetables, and coconuts are offered to Shiva during the worship. Those who choose to fast on Mahashivratri break their fast the next morning, and eat the prashad that was offered to Shiva.
Young girls fast and worship Lord Shiva so that he may bless them with good husbands. They sing devotional songs and holy texts is chanted throughout the nights.
The panditji in the temple perform the Puja according to the scriptures. The Shiva Linga is a representation of Lord Shiva. Devotees gather up to bathe it in milk, water and honey. It is then anointed with sandalwood paste and decorated with flowers & bell’s leaves called billipatra.