MahaShivaratri, the ‘Great Night of Shiva’, is a spiritual festival celebrating the victory of goodness and knowledge over darkness and evil.  Through contemplation and meditation, we seek Lord Shiva’s grace and blessings to help destroy our ignorance and give us the strength to discover our true Self, the peace within us, and our unity with the entire world. At Chinmaya Mission in Silver Spring, Maryland, observances for this auspicious day begin at 5 am and culminate at midnight. Devotional services (pujas), chanting, dance and song are all offered to celebrate the glories of the supreme yogi Lord Shiva, the personification of austerity, detachment, and liberation. Please join us for the beautiful songs, ‘bhajans’, glorifying Lord Shiva that are sung during the late night program, followed by conch blowing, and culminating in prayer, ‘aarati’, at midnight. At Chinmaya Mission in Chantilly, Virginia, celebrations include the most important ritual for the night called Rudrabhisheka, shloka chanting and a cultural program with classical songs and dances performed by the Chinmaya mission students.