MahaShivratri 2024: Date, Rituals, Mahurat and More You Need to Know!

MahaShivratri 2024: The celebration of Maha Shivaratri, also known as The Great Night of Shiva, honors Lord Shiva. The primary pujas are done once in the evening or four times during the night, but devotees do worship sessions throughout the day. For devotees, the celebration marks several significant occasions. Shivaratri honors the night of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s marriage. In 2024, Mahashivratri will be celebrated on 8th March.

Significance of Mahashivratri – Enhancing human consciousness

Mahashivratri is a magical night, “The Great Night of Shiva” when planets are in a particular alignment with natural upsurge in energy. Shiva, also known as Nataraja, performs the cosmic transformation dance on the night of Mahashivratri. The transformation dance mentioned is a reference to the continuous process of creation, sustenance, and destruction. For example, Ocean waves rise, fall, and crash back into the ocean as if performing a cosmic dance.

It is believed that devotees who meditate on the divine form of Shiva and chant his mantras on the night of Mahashivtari experience cosmic bliss and higher consciousness states.

Mahashivratri rituals

Mahashivratri is a festival celebrated all over India. Shiva temples have special festivities organized on this day. Devotees observe Fasting, meditate, chant Om Namah Shivaya mantra, attend Mahashivratri Puja or Rudra Puja and worship the Shivalinga.

•  – Fasting on Mahashivratri enhances receptivity of body and mind. Devotees express their devotion to Lord shiva by abstaining from food. Our receptibility to Shiva’s energy increases if we fast on the day of Mahashivratri. People fast according to their age, health and adaptability for fasting.
  • Types of Fast on Mahashivratri
    • Nirjala Fast(Fast with no food and water): No water or food should be consumed on the day of Mahashivratri till next day sunrise. You can break your fast by having vegetarian meal next day after taking bath.
    • Phalahara Fast(Fruit and Liquid Fasting):Devotees consume fresh fruits and liquids like coconut water, lemon water or fruit juice. They do not consume grain or salt on the day of Mahashivratri.
    • Sampata Fast(Fruits with sweets in one meal):Devotees consume fruits and liquid as in Phalahara fast along with one meal which consists of sweets like rice kheer, milk sweets. Devotees do not consume salt in this fast.
    • After Mahashivratri fasting day devotees consume vegetarian food after taking bath and morning spiritual rituals.

Mahashivratri Muhurat for Worship

Mahashivratri falls on the fourteenth day of the lunar month Phalguna or Magha, which is the dark half of the month( Krishna Paksha) which is called Chaturdashi. This year Chaturdashi starts from 9.57 pm on 8th March and ends at 6.17 pm on 9th March. Details of different puja timing for Mahashivratri is provided below

Prayers for Mahashivratri         Date                   Time
Nishita Puja                                       March 8          12:07 am to 12:56 am
Nishita Kaal Puja                             March 8         12:12 am to 01:01 am
First Prahar                                       March 8          6:25 PM to 9:28 PM
Second Prahar                                  March 8          9:28 PM to 12:30 AM
Third Prahar                                     March 9          12:30 AM to 3:34 AM
Fourth Prahar                                   March 9          3:34 AM to 6:37 AM

Disclaimer:  The content is for informational purposes only. Consult with religious experts for personalized guidance on Mahashivaratri celebrations.

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