For some reason, at the local Durga Temple in my area, there always seems to be more women at Shivratri than men. Each year the attendance in our area grows larger and there is a new Hindu temple coming.
But for those who could not attend at a temple, in my path there is a saying that any day or everyday can be a Maha Shivaratri. In fact, if you sit and recite the following selections from the Shiva Chalisa, then you can be within Shiva and He will smile upon you and you can have Shivrati even in a cave all alone. You will become fearless, and victory is easy. It has certainly been so for me.
"Glory to Ganesha, Son of Goddess Girija, the cause of all auspiciousness and intelligence. Ayodha Dass requests that every one be blessed with the boon of being fearless."
"Perfect Master, Consort of Parvati the Great Goddess, Merciful, Who blesses the poor souls and the pure devotees, Whose Form is beautiful, adorned with the Moon, Who has earrings of the hood of the Snake and Ganga Maa flows through Your locks of hair."
"Just see the saints and sages are attracted by Your splendor. Around Your neck is a garland of skulls, we see you shine with white ash upon Your body and You are drapped in the fur of the Lion, Your Victory is remembered."
"When Lord Rama worshipped You, He became victorious over the King of the Rakshasas, Lord Ravana. When Lord Rama wished to worship You with one thousand lotus flowers, the Divine Mother to test the devotion of Shri Ram, hid all the flowers at Your request."
"Lord, You looked steadily at The Beautiful Rama, Who then wished to offer His lotus eye in place of a flower. Because of such intense devotion, You said No. Instead You granted Rama any wish He would desire. And this was victory."
"Lord Shiva. When the Ocean of the Universe was churned, a deadly poison emerged. You My Lord drank that poison that would have permeated our World. That poison stained Your throat blue."
"Thus You are known as Nilakantha."
"Today I think of You Nilakanta, the Blue Throated Lord"
... a long time ago, upon the churning of the Ocean of the Universe, a poison dreadful and deep from that Ocean emerged. Lord Shiva drank that poison, so dreadful a poison and so deep, it stained His throat Blue.
When we humans see that Blue stain, we remember. We know that in the Universe, in that Ocean of all things, that poison can once again be churned.
If that ever happens, it would be more than convenient if Lord Shiva would drink that poison. Again.
he did the pujas with a lot of faith and you could see he was really happy. He loves to tease the devotees and make people laugh too... But he is also quite like a stern father: the two other priests were discussing a bit too much during one of a puja, he made them understand they had a job to do... With a sinnnngle look 
