For those who worship the Hindu deity Shiva, Maha Shivaratri is the most significant religious day of the year. Every lunar month’s fourteenth day of the dark half, or waning moon, is particularly devoted to Shiva; nonetheless, it is a special occasion for celebration when it falls during the months of Magha (January–February) and Phalguna (February–March). The participant keeps a fast the day before and holds a vigil at night when they worship the Shiva symbol, the lingam, in a unique way and tell stories about Shiva. The next day is festivity marked by feasting, festival fairs, and gift-giving to the guru (personal spiritual advisor) among the followers of the South Indian Lingayat sect. Adherents think Worship on this night is thought to have exceptional spiritual and material rewards by devotees.