A Night I Will Not Forget

One Mahashivaratri night, I noticed something different around me. Usually, people sleep early, but on that day, everyone was awake. Lamps were glowing, the surroundings were calm, and people were speaking softly. Even the air felt peaceful. I became curious and asked my grandmother, “Ajji, why is everyone awake today? Why does this night feel different?” She smiled and asked me to sit next to her.

Then she slowly started explaining. She told me that every month there is a Shivaratri, but once in a year comes Mahashivaratri, which is very special. It comes when winter is slowly changing into spring. I looked at the sky and noticed that there was no moon.

Ajji said, “When there is no outer light, it becomes easier to see our inner light.”

 I did not fully understand at first, but I kept thinking about it. That night, instead of sleeping early, I stayed awake for some time. I observed the silence, the calmness, and the peaceful feeling around me.

Then I understood what Ajji meant. Sometimes, when everything is quiet outside, we can feel more peaceful inside. From that night, Mahashivaratri became special for me — not just as a festival, but as a time to be calm, think, and feel peaceful.