Ruchi Verma Mahashivratri, is an Indian auspicious festival celebrated by Hindus in the month of the lunisolar calendar, under the Hindu calendar but once a year to honor Lord Shiva.
There are 12 Shivratris in the entire year, every month but the Mahashivratri falling on 18th February 2023 is celebrated across the country and considered auspicious it is supposed to be the night of Shiva and Shakti which means the energy of both masculine and feminine helps to balance the world.
Celebrated every year before the arrival of spring Maha Shivaratri means “the Great Night of Shiva”. This festival has its own significance and meaning.
Significance of MahaShivratri
This festival is most significant and important for all shiva devotees as it is believed and said that Lord Shiva has performed Tandava Nritya to save the world from destruction, this day is marked and celebrated as “Overcoming darkness and ignorance”.
There are multiple stories behind this day, Hindu scholars tell that Lord Shiva drank poisonous negativity to protect the world.
2 Stories Behind MahaShivratri
There are several stories behind this festival, to start with
- It is said that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Shakti) got married on this day and we celebrate it as their anniversary, in many parts of the country ladies fast and pray for the long life of their husbands.
- Another story says, this day Shiva drank poison and known as Neelakantha, as during Samudra Manthan, a pot from the ocean emerged full of poison and to save the earth Lord Shiva drank it without swolling it and throat becomes blue and he saved the world.
5 Ways How to celebrate Mahashivratri in 2022
This is one of the most auspicious days to celebrate, pray and pay gratitude to the supreme power of the universe Lord Shiva. Sharing 5 simple yet important ways you can pray and spend your day:
- Meditate: Meditation is one of the best ways to light up your mind and body and devote yourself to supreme power. This is the best way to sit quietly for some time and meditate on the name of lord Shiva which will help you to feel light and mind relaxed. It is said by spiritual gurus that the position of the constellations is considered very auspicious on the day of Mahashivratri and the best time to meditate. Even old people’s advice is that “If you can’t meditate the entire year, do meditation on Mahashivratri, the most special day of the year.”
- Fasting: Fasting is one of the ways to show your gratitude towards the supreme power. There are so many benefits apart from this. Fasting helps to detoxify your body and gives peace to your mind. Well, there are many ways to fast and in different parts of the country, there are different ways to keep fasting, even though there are so many fasting food recipes available on the internet to make your fast little tempting and tasty. But, if you fast on fruits or foods that are easily digestible will give you a peaceful mind and detoxify your body in a better way.
- Perform Rudra Abhishekh: We perform and worship Lord shiva in temples and at home as Shivling also known as Shiva Linga and among other different names Rudra is one of the names of God Shiva. Rudra is a manifestation of Lord Shivas fierce and of destroyer. Rudra Abhishekh is a way to worship him by giving a holy bath of Shivaling by offering milk, honey, curd, Gangajal, bel patra, flowers, and many other things which are the important part of this pooja. It is said that this pooja removes all negativity from life and brings blessings from Lord Shiva.
- Om Namah: Shivaya Chanting: This mantra is one I believe in and feel that as soon as you chant it will give you positive vibes, and energies you. In this mantra, OM filled with the sound of the universe means Love and Peace where Namah: Shivaya comprises 5 elements we live on Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. It is said if you chant 108 times minimum this Mantra it will bring peace in life.
These are a few ways in which you can celebrate Mahashivratri this year to bring harmony, peace, and love to the world and in your life.
Maha Shivratri 2023: Date and Shubh Muhurat
Maha Shivaratri is on Saturday, February 18, 2023
Nishita Kaal Puja Time: 11.38 PM to 12.28 AM, February 19
Duration: 00 Hours 50 Mins
On 19th February, Shivaratri Parana Time – 6.22 AM to 2.54 PM
Ratri First Prahar Puja Time – 5.45 PM to 8.54 PM
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time – 8.54 PM to 12.03 AM, February 19
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time – 12.03 AM to 3.12 AM, February 19
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time – 3.12 AM to 6.22 AM, February 19
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins – 8.02 PM on February 18, 2023
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends – 4.18 PM on February 19, 2023
(Source: Drik Panchang)
OM NAMAH: SHIVAYA
© Ruchie Verma.
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Very well penned the benefits of meditation and fasting.. We do Rudra Abhishek in our friend’s circle. Participating in the Puja and listening to the chants helps the mind slip into meditation effortlessly.
We too celebrate Mahashivratri by praying to Lord Shiva and fasting. I have been vigilant of the date, as last year missed it due to miscalculations. This is quite an informative post on the auspicious occasion and Hindu Festival.
You post has made me nostalgic Ruchi. I used to celebrate Shivratri every year with my parents, when I was in India. here, in USA I missed all those rituals that you have mentioned in the post.
Very well-written. Actually I knew the first story behind Mahashivratri. Here, in Kolkata women also celebrate this auspicious festival the same way you’ve described here. This year, let’s pray for peace and harmony in the world.
Lord Shiva is one of the most mystical of the Hindu Gods and the legends associated with him are truly fascinating. Mahashivratri is a festival with so much significance and full of soul searching meditation and worship.
What a perfectly timed post for shivaratri. Thank you for penning down in detail why we celebrate and how can we spend the day. Much useful
I have also heard the neelakanda story for shivaratri. Like we spend a sleepless night and all. I have never followed that yet though
Thank you for sharing this informative blog post about the significance of Maha Shivratri. As someone who is not familiar with the Hindu culture and religion, I find it fascinating to learn about the traditions and rituals that take place during this auspicious festival. It’s inspiring to read about the ways in which devotees show their gratitude towards Lord Shiva, such as through meditation, fasting, and performing Rudra Abhishekh.
The stories behind this festival are also intriguing. I appreciate the detail about the story of Lord Shiva drinking poison to save the world and how it resulted in his throat turning blue, giving him the name Neelakantha. The story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati getting married on this day and the tradition of women fasting and praying for the long life of their husbands is also interesting.
Thank you for providing the dates and times for Maha Shivratri 2023 as well. It’s helpful to know the specific times for performing the puja and the duration of the festival. I will definitely keep these in mind as I continue to learn more about this festival and the Hindu culture.
Maha Shivratri is one of our favourite festivals. It is such a sacred and blessed day. We like to celebrate with Rudrabhishek and also the chanting of the Maha Mrityunjay Mantra.
MahaShivratri is an auspicious day and this post just explained the reasons why it has such huge significance in the Hindu religion. I used to fast but now, fasting is shifted to observing only veg food.
Mahashivratri is one of the most important festivals of the year and everyone from kids to senior citizens fast during that time. For us it always involved visiting Shiv Mandir and rudra abhishek with milk and offering flowers and belpatra.