Srilanka, Feb. 26 -- The name Maha Shivarathiri means "the great night that belongs to Shiva." Lord Shiva is referred to as the Supreme God in the Hindu pantheon. The word Shiva means "auspicious" in Sanskrit. In Hindu philosophy, Shiva is the creator, preserver, and destroyer, symbolising the continuous cycle of creation and destruction.
Among the Trimoorthy or Trinity (the three main Gods), Lord Shiva is considered the Supreme God, acting in accordance with the universal cycle of creation and destruction. According to Hinduism, Lord Brahma is regarded as the God of creation, while Lord Maha Vishnu is the God of protection. It is believed that Lord Shiva embodies all three functions-creation, preservation, and destruction-assuming the for...