The fourteenth day of the dark half of the month of Magh is celebrated as Mahashivratri all over Gujarat. According to Puranas on the midnight of Magh Vad 14 Lord Shiva had created his idol in the form of a linga to pacify Brahma and Vishnu, the other two of the triumvirate. Twelve such linga created by Shiva are called jyotirlingas of which Somnath at Prabhas Patan is one. Devotees observe fast on this day and recite rudri or mahimanstrota. A big fair is held at Bhavnath in Junagadh on this day. Being a post harvest festival the farmers can zealouly indulge in its celebration.

The day is also important for the Arya Samajists, as Swami Dayanand, the founder of Arya Samaj got divine inspiration on the night of Mahashivratri at his native place Tankara in Morvi Taluka.