What is Maha Shivaratri?

Maha Shivaratri is a mixture of three words: 'Shiva' belongs to Lord Shiva and 'Ratri' refers to the night time period. The word "Maha" in Maha Shivaratri literally translates as "Great / eternal" As a result, Maha Shivaratri is the name given to the big night dedicated to celebrating this deity. Maha shivaratri is a never-ending night of love, dance, and celebration.

The Chaturdashi Tithi of Phalguna Krishna Paksha is Maha Shivaratri

Legends behind Maha Shivaratri

Union of Shiva and Shakti — After the death of Lord Shiva's first wife, Sati, he withdrew into deep meditation and rigorous penance. Sati, reborn as Shakti, worshipped Lord Shiva with devotion. After that, she was reunited with Lord Shiva. Maha Shivaratri commemorates Shiva Shakti's merger as Ardhnareshwar.

Samudra Manthan: It is the day when Shiva consumed all of the poison from Samudra Manthan in order to preserve the Universe. Many items were released from the Ocean of Milk during the Samudra Manthana procedure. One of them was Halahala, a fatal toxin. The gods sought Shiva for protection against the Halahala. Shiva consumed the poison to safeguard the three realms, but it burnt his throat. The Gods danced to protect Shiva from the poison's ill effects and to keep him awake for the night. The poison however makes his neck blue. This is how he received the name Neelkantha. Since then, the night has been known as Maha Shivaratri.

The Shiva Linga or Lingodbhava murthy legend has profound ties to Maha shivaratri. Shiva originally manifested himself in the shape of a Linga on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna; the day is exceedingly auspicious and is celebrated as Maha shivaratri.

Date & time of Maha Shivaratri (All time as per IST)

Beginning of Chaturdashi: 18th Feb 8.02 PM

First Prahar Puja Time - 06:13 PM to 09:24 PM

Second Prahar Puja Time – 19th Feb 2023, 09:24 PM to 12:35 AM

Third Prahar Puja Time - 19th Feb 2023, 12:35 AM to 03:46 AM

Fourth Prahar Puja Time - 19th Feb 2023, 03:46 AM to 06:56 AM

Best time for Puja

In Shiva puja, Nishita Kala, or the time when Lord Shiva manifested as the Shiva Lingam on Earth, is of paramount importance. To bathe the Shivalinga you can use anything from cow milk to curd to honey to sugar to butter to Holy water (Ganga Jal) and Sugarcane Juice. After that, Shivalinga is offered sandalwood paste, rice, belpatra, seasonal fruits and flowers.

Nishita Kala: 19th February 2023, 12:09 AM to 01:00 AM

However, a devotee may perform Shiva Puja during Nishita Kaal or any/all four Prahars (a unit of time).

Various Service /upachar

Invocation (Āvāhana)

Offering the seat (Āsana)

Washing of the feet (Pādya)

Water offering (Arghya)

Water for rinsing the mouth as a mystical rite (Ācamana)

Snana / Abhishek: Snana by milk ( Do not keep milk in copper vessel), curd, ghee, honey, sugar, panchamrit, fruit juice, sugarcane juice, saffron water, sandalwood water, itra water, ganga jal, etc

offering of cloth (Vastra /Upavastra)

Yagyopavit

Scents (Gandha)

flowers (Puṣpa)

Bhasma

Unbroken rice

Bel patra

Dhatura

Doorva

Itra (Avoid Kewra)

incense (Dhūpa)

lamps (Dīpa)

food offering (Naivedya)

Fresh fruits (Uncut)

Betel leaves (Tāmbūla)

Dakshina

Obeisance (Namaskāra)

Benefits of various offerings and rituals

Anointing the deity leads to self-purification

Offering Chandan / sandalwood brings virtue.

By offering Naivedya, there is an increase in life and satisfaction.

By offering incense, one gets wealthy.

Knowledge emerges by lighting a lamp

Use of betel leaves is conducive to pleasure.

As a result, these six points are strictly adhered to throughout all worship services.

Namaskar and chanting - both are the givers of all the desired results. That is why people desirous of enjoyment and salvation should always do japa and namaskar at the end of the worship.

Mantra for Abhishek

Panchakshari Mantra (Om Namah Shivaya)

Rudree Mantra

Namakam Chamakam

Rudra Sukta (first 16 mantra of Chapter 16 Shukla Yajurveda)

Purush Suktam

Shiva Sankalpa

Rudra Gayatri

Mahamritunjay Mantra

What not to offer on Shivlinga

Turmeric

Kumkum

Basil leaves

Broken rice (offer only full rice)

Coconut water

Do not offer water on Shivlinga by shankh.

Which colour clothes to wear

One can wear green or white colored clothes. It is better to avoid wearing black.

Which Flowers can be offered?

Flowers of Kaner, Apamarga, Kusa, shami flower, Kamala (lotus) and Utpalas (lilies) of various sorts

Which Flowers cannot be offered?

Champa and kewra

How to observe Maha Shivaratri

Listen / read Shiva Purana

Avoid consuming non-veg, alcohol

Wear Rudraksha at the time of Puja and mantra chanting

Video on Benefits of Abhishek on Shivling with different products