Mahashivaratri Activities for Kids
- Eniokos
- Feb 16
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 5
Mahashivaratri is an important Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. Mahashivaratri, basically meaning "The Great Night of Shiva," is observed on the 14th night of the lunar month of Phalguna (February–March), when devotees honor Lord Shiva through meditation, fasting, and night-long worship. Mahashivaratri is celebrated across India and Nepal.
The festival signifies overcoming darkness and ignorance in life and is a time for reflection and devotion. Unlike most festivals that emphasize feasting and social gatherings, Maha Shivaratri is a deeply inward, meditative celebration, focusing on self-reflection, inner transformation, and the pursuit of higher consciousness.
In this article, we share some fun ideas for children to do on this festival day. At the end of the article, we also detail the background of this festival for our readers who are not familiar with Shiva and Mahashivaratri.
Mahashivaratri Activities for Kids
Storytelling
There are hundreds of stories related to Shiva. Share with your child the legend of Shiva drinking poison to save the world or the story of his marriage to Parvati.
To make the storytelling or reading time meaningful and interesting for the child, use simple analogies to explain complex concepts of Shiva. For example, you can explain concepts like "Shiva's third eye represents wisdom" or "The Ganga flowing from his hair symbolizes purity." Try to ask questions to encourage curiosity, like "Why does Shiva have a crescent moon?" or "What does the Trishul represent?"
Some Shiva-related books to gift children or read to them are:
Craft Activities for Mahashivaratri
Make a Damru!
Make Shiva's Trishool!
Download Your Free Mahashivaratri Worksheet! 🎉
We’ve compiled some fun Shiva-themed activities and information into a printable worksheet for kids to enjoy this Mahashivaratri! Click below to download your copy:
This worksheet is perfect for homeschooling, classroom use, or as a family activity during Mahashivaratri celebrations.
Let us know in our FB group how your child enjoyed these activities!
Would you like to share with other readers how you celebrate Mahashivratri at your home? Write to us!
Wishing you a blessed and joyful Mahashivaratri! 🕉️
Know More About Shiva & Shivaratri by clicking >
Who is Lord Shiva? A Deeper Understanding
Lord Shiva is one of the most important Hindu deities, but also the most enigmatic figure in Indian spiritual thought. More than just a deity, Shiva represents the cosmic force of transformation, destruction, and renewal, embodying the endless cycle of creation and dissolution. He is a symbol of meditative stillness and untamed cosmic energy, making him both a serene ascetic and a powerful force of nature.
The Philosophy of Shiva
Unlike many gods in organized faiths, Shiva is not confined to a single role. In Indian thought, he represents both the personal and the formless, the destroyer and the benefactor. His philosophy extends beyond religion into metaphysics and the understanding of existence:
The Destroyer & Transformer: In the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti), Shiva is the dissolver of illusion, breaking apart what is stagnant so new creation can emerge. This is not destruction in a negative sense, but rather transformation—letting go of the old to allow the new to arise.
Symbol of Meditative Awareness: Shiva is often depicted as a yogi in deep meditation, signifying inner stillness amidst chaos. His state of absolute awareness, untouched by worldly distractions, serves as an ideal for seekers of truth.
Time and Timelessness: The crescent moon on his head represents time and cycles, yet Shiva himself exists beyond time (Mahakaal, the great time).
Energy and Balance – Ardhanarishvara: One of the most profound representations of Shiva is as Ardhanarishvara, where he is shown as half-male, half-female, symbolizing the perfect balance of masculine and feminine energies, Shiva and Shakti—duality and unity in one being.
Sacred Symbols of Shiva & Their Meaning
Shiva is often depicted with powerful symbols, each carrying deep metaphysical, spiritual, and philosophical meanings. These symbols represent aspects of existence, consciousness, and the cosmic forces of creation and destruction.
The Third Eye (Trinetra) – Shiva’s third eye represents inner vision, wisdom, and the destruction of ignorance. It is not a physical eye but a symbol of heightened perception beyond ordinary sight. When opened, it burns away illusion and reveals absolute truth.
Tripundra (Three Lines of Holy Ash) – The three horizontal lines of Bhasma (sacred ash) on Shiva’s forehead symbolize the destruction of ego, impurities, and worldly attachments. They also represent the three fundamental qualities (gunas) of nature—Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (inertia)—which Shiva transcends. Ash itself signifies impermanence, a reminder that everything in life eventually returns to dust.
Rudraksha Beads – Shiva is often adorned with Rudraksha mala (prayer beads), derived from the seeds of the Rudraksha tree. These beads are believed to be formed from Shiva’s tears, symbolizing divine energy, spiritual focus, and protection. They are used in meditation to enhance concentration and inner peace.
The Trident (Trishul) – The three-pronged weapon represents the balance of mind, body, and spirit or the past, present, and future. It also signifies Shiva’s power to destroy ignorance, ego, and evil.
The Drum (Damru) – The small two-sided drum symbolizes the cosmic sound (Aum), the vibration from which the universe is said to have emerged. It represents the rhythm of creation and destruction. The beat of the Damru signifies the eternal dance of existence.
The River Ganga Flowing from His Hair – Shiva carries the sacred river Ganga in his locks, which represents wisdom, spiritual purification, and the flow of divine knowledge. It is also symbolic of the cooling, life-giving aspect of Shiva’s energy, balancing his fierce transformative power.
Tiger Skin – Shiva is often shown sitting on or wearing a tiger skin, representing his mastery over desires and the material world. The tiger, a symbol of raw power, is subdued beneath him, illustrating that true strength comes from self-control, not dominance.
Serpent Around His Neck – Shiva wears the cobra Vasuki around his neck, symbolizing fearlessness and control over death and time. The serpent represents the Kundalini energy—the dormant spiritual force within every being.
Nandi, the Sacred Bull – Nandi is Shiva’s vahana (vehicle) and represents devotion, patience, and strength. As Shiva’s loyal companion, Nandi signifies purity of heart and unwavering faith. In temples, Nandi always faces Shiva, reminding devotees that sincerity and dedication are the true paths to enlightenment.
The Crescent Moon – Shiva wears a crescent moon on his head, symbolizing the passage of time and the cyclical nature of existence. It also represents calmness and balance, showing that Shiva is beyond the fluctuations of time.
Background & Celebration of Mahashivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is not just a religious event but a cosmic and metaphysical occurrence, marking a time of natural energy alignment. According to yogic traditions, this night is considered ideal for spiritual growth because the planetary positions create a surge of energy, making meditation and stillness more powerful. It is believed that staying awake and maintaining an upright posture allows devotees to align with this cosmic energy and experience deeper awareness.
Mythological Stories Behind Maha Shivaratri
There are several legends associated with Maha Shivaratri:
The Divine Marriage of Shiva and Parvati: According to one tradition, Mahashivaratri marks the night of Shiva’s wedding to Goddess Parvati. It symbolizes the union of masculine and feminine energies, representing cosmic balance and harmony.
Shiva as the Eternal Meditator: In yogic traditions, Mahashivaratri is considered the night when Shiva became completely still, entering the deepest state of meditation. This is why many devotees spend the night meditating, focusing on inner stillness.
The Night of the Cosmic Dance: Shiva as Nataraja. Some believe that on this night, Shiva performs the Tandava, the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. This represents the continuous cycle of life and the universe.
According to some stories, the festival is related to the Story of the Poison and the Neelkanth Legend. During the great churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), a deadly poison (Halahala) emerged, threatening to destroy creation. Shiva drank the poison to save the world, holding it in his throat, which turned blue—hence the name Neelkanth (the Blue-Throated One). Mahashivaratri is believed to commemorate his selflessness and strength.
How is Maha Shivaratri Celebrated?
Fasting & Meditation – Many devotees fast, chant Om Namah Shivaya, and meditate to focus inward.
Night-Long Worship (Jagran) – Staying awake through the night symbolizes awareness and enlightenment.
Rudra Abhishekam – The ritual bathing of Shivalingam with milk, honey, water, and bael leaves is performed as a sacred offering.
Chanting and Bhajans – Devotional songs and mantras help focus the mind on Shiva’s qualities of calmness, strength, and wisdom.
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