Mahashivratri is the great festival of Lord Shiva where millions of devotees all over the country gather to worship Lord Shiva and ask for his graceful blessings. Mahashivratri, according to hindu calendar, falls in ‘Faalgun Krishan Chaturdashi’, March of every year; the date this year is 8th of March. This day holds tremendous value for Hindus. To make the most of this beautiful day one should know the right rituals, auspicious timings and the proper method of worship.
Significance of Mahashivratri:
According to mythology, Mahashivratri is the day when lord Shiva appeared to Brahma and Vishnu. It is also the day when lord Shiva got married to Maa Parvati. People do austerities to make lord Shiva happy and it is believed that it is easy to receive his blessings on this day.
Keeping fast, doing ‘mantra jaap' (recitation of mantras) and staying awake at night are some things that are important and people do on this day. Married couples worship lord Shiva along with Maa Parvati to seek blessings for their married life.
The worship is divided into 4 ‘prahars’ (units of time):
- First prahar: 8 March, 06:25 pm to 9:28 pm.
- Second prahar: 9:28 pm to 12:31 pm.
- Third prahar: 9 March, 12:31 am to 3:34 am.
- Fourth prahar: 9 March, 3:34 am to 6:37 am.
Mahashivratri is special every year, know what’s special about Mahashivratri 2024:
This Mahashivratri the planets will be in 5 zodiac signs. The Moon and Mars will be on Capricorn. This combination is creating a yoga called Lakshmi, therefore the financial obstacles can be overcome this Mahashivratri. The dominance of the Moon and Jupiter is also creating auspicious conditions which can help in getting rid of employment problems.
Mahashivratri Vrat Pooja Vidhi (Fasting method):
On this day doing water fasting and fruit fasting is fruitful. Wake up early in the morning, take a bath, wear clean clothes and make a resolution to keep a fast. After that, go to a nearby lord Shiva temple and bathe ‘Shivling’ with ‘Panchamrit’ and ‘Gangajala’.
Offer ‘Dhartura’, ‘Itra’, ‘Belpatra’, ‘Safed chandan' (white sandalwood), ‘Janeyu’, fruits and sweets to lord Shiva. You can also cook ‘kesar kheer’ and offer it to lord Shiva which can later be given to devotees as ‘prasad’. This way devotees can obtain strength, luck, blessings and their problems might end.