Shiva is the Supreme Consciousness that illuminates the three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Shivaratri, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is celebrated on the moonless night of the month of Phalguna, which is the fourteenth day in the Krishna paksha or dark half. Owing to special planetary conjunction, spiritual practices are done on this day are considered to be especially auspicious and beneficial. It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.