Mahashivratri 2024: Puja Rituals and Fasting Do's and Don'ts

Mahashivratri is a festival dedicated to lord Shiva. It is different from Shivratri which comes every month and also includes worship of lord Shiva. Mahashivratri is a big yearly festival celebrating Shiva which comes in the month of Magha (as per the South Indian calendar) and in the month of Phalguna (as per the North Indian calendar).

Mahashivratri is the night when lord Shiva performs his Tandava Nritya (the dance of creation and destruction of the universe) as per the legend. Another legend also notes that Mahashivratri day marks the wedding of lord Shiva and goddess Parvati.

Mahashivratri 2024: Date And Time

Mahashivratri usually falls in late February or early March. Mahashivratri in 2024 will be observed on Friday, March 8, 2024. The auspicious time for Mahashivratri Nishtha Kaal Puja will be 12:07 to 12:56.

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How is Mahashivratri Celebrated?

Mahashivratri is celebrated all across the country with much fervor. It is a festival celebrated in most states of India, be it the northern region in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, or southern states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, or Telangana, with a lot of pomp and show.

On Mahashivratri, devotees visit Shiva temples, perform Shiv archana, and make offerings of milk, dhatura, bel patra, sandalwood paste, ghee, sugar, and other bhog items to the Shivling. They also observe a whole-day fast which they break the next morning. Most of the traditional Indian pujas are conducted in the daytime but Mahashivratri Puja is done at night.

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Puja Rituals of Mahashivratri 2024

Numerous Mahashivratri rituals, customs, and traditions are associated with Mahashivratri. The ardent worshippers of Shiva fast all day long, participate in an all-night vigil called the jaagaran, and visit a Hindu temple to offer prayers, flowers, incense sticks, milk, fruit, or honey to Lord Shiva.

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Some of the crucial rituals performed during Mahashivratri are as follows:

Cleanliness – Puja for Mahashivratri starts with cleaning the designated area where puja is to be performed as a tidy surrounding attracts positivity, prosperity, and abundance. Also, the devotees bathe early morning and apply vermilion on their foreheads.

Puja Setup – Small effigies or a picture of idol Shiva is placed where puja is to be performed with Shiv Linga or Shiv Yantra. The area is laden with many different flowers such as marigolds, lotus, and roses, and their petals and leaves make it beautiful and fragrant.

Offering – Some of the favorite foods of Shiva such as fruits, milk, and honey are offered to the lord. Also, bael leaves which are considered auspicious for the occasion are kept there.

Mantra Chanting – Om Namah Shivaya chanting is done to nullify the negative impact of the planets. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, which is considered the moksha mantra to bestow longevity, is recited. Some worshippers also read Shiv Chalisa and offer prayers.

Abhishek – Milk, honey, and water are poured on Shivling while chanting mantras which is called Shivling Abhishek.

Aarti – The Mahashivratri Puja is concluded with the puja being performed when the lamp is lit to spread divine light.

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Mahashivratri Fast Do’s & Donts’

Mahashivratri is an auspicious day for the devotees of lord Shiva. Performing puja rituals right and fasting on the day with devotion can help the worshipers gain the blessings of lord Shiva and overcome darkness and ignorance in the world. Here is how Mahashivratri pujan is done and rituals performed as per the rules.

As devotees fast on the Mahashivratri day, they are to not consume any grain-based foods such as rice and wheat. They can only eat fruits, nuts, and milk-based products.

Alcohol and non-vegetarian food is also avoided during the fast.

Some devotees also go for a complete fast in which they consume no food or water. But since staying hydrated is crucial for health, some worshipers go for a water-only fast.

The devotees meditate and focus on the calmness of mind, all day long.

Heavy work or strenuous activity is avoided. Devotees don’t sleep during the day and rather mediate and read religious texts. Even at night, they do jargon and observe a vigil.

Spiritual texts are read to focus the mind on the virtues of lord Shiva and to keep distractions at bay.

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Conclusion

Celebrating Mahashivratri with reverence and while adhering to rituals of puja and fasting that are specified by a pandit or an astrologer can enhance the spiritual significance of this auspicious day. With the devotees’ engagement in prayer, meditation, and traditional rituals, they deepen their connection with Lord Shiva and can discover profound spiritual insights.

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Mahashivratri 2024: Puja Rituals and Fasting Do’s and Don’ts