Date :March 1st  2003  

Practice : Maha Shiva Raatri means the great night of Lord Shiva and it is observed on the fourteenth lunar night(chaturdasi)of the dark forthnight(Krishna Paksh)in the Hindu month of Phalgun.This corresponds to late February and early March in the English calendar.
Maha Shiva Raatri's time duration is such that the lunar day or thithi(chaturdasi in this case)must pass through midnight.A great deal of preparation is involved in order to celebrate this religious event since it requires the performance of Pooja(prayers).
Lord Shiva is the Devta or diety worshipped here.His worship is done in the form of a Lingam Pooja.The Lingam is a stone with an oval shape and it represents the abstract form of God.
During Maha Shiva Raatri,Hindus in Trinidad observe fasting.They abstain from eating and drinking forbidden foods and they will make all the necessary preparations for the Pooja which begins at sunset.

Actually,the complete Maha Shiva Raatri Pooja consists of four individual poojas.The first Pooja starts at sunset and with two hour intervals,the remaining three is done.The last one must finish at midnight.A vigil is maintained all night until before sunrise of the next morning.Bhajans and kirtan(hymns and praises)are encouraged in order to maintain this vigil and also discourses relevant to the occasion are read.

The first Pooja culminates with the offering of milk;
at the end of the second Dahee or curds are offered ;
at the end of the third Ghee (cow's butter) is offered
and at the end of the last Pooja, honey is offered on the Lingam.

From midnight until before sunrise next morning, Jal or water is offered on the Lingam .However,the most important article of worship in this Pooja is Bail leaves (the leaves of the wood apple tree).These leaves are exceedingly loved by Lord Shiva and the offering of same brings some form of spiritual elevation to the person who has made such an offering.
In order to achieve the maximum benefits,the services of a qualified Pandit (Hindu priest) is very important in performing this Pooja.
 

Mantras.....

Om Namaha Shivaya.

Om Namaha Shambavaya cha,Mayo Bhavaya cha
Namaha Shankaraya cha,Mayas Karaya cha
Namaha Shivaya cha,Shiva Taraya cha.