In 2022 Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on the night of February 28.
2023 February 18
2024 March 8
2025 February 25
MahaShivRatri is one of the most significant Hindu festivals that celebrate the convergence of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti.
Maha Shivaratri is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya, or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.
Maha Shivratri is observed to mark a remembrance of overcoming darkness and ignorance in life and the world. Unlike most festivals, it is celebrated at night..
Shivaratri is also when Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva married again.
This is the time to wake the Divinity that is deep within you.
WHAT TO DO ON MAHASHIVRATRI?
Mahashivratri is the day to honor and celebrate Lord Shiva—honor life and celebrate existence. Most people spend the day of Mahashivratri in prayer, chanting mantras, meditation and celebration.
Devotees of Lord Shiva keep awake all night chanting.Special Puja is held at homes and temples.
During MahaShivRatri ask Lord Shiva to Help you in transformation of consciousness and destruction of Karma
Here are a few activities you could participate in:
Observe Fasting
Meditate
Chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’
Attend Mahashivratri Puja/Rudra Puja
Worship the Shiva Linga
Observe fasting on the day of Mahashivratri
Fasting detoxifies the body and curtails the restlessness of the mind. A mind that is not restless slips into meditation easily. Therefore, fasting on Mahashivratri serves to detoxify the body and aid meditation. It is recommended to fast with fruits or foods that are easily digestible.
Meditate on Mahashivratri
The position of the constellations on the night of Mahashivratri is considered very auspicious for meditation. So, it is advisable for people to keep awake and meditate on Shivaratri.
In ancient times, people used to say, “If you cannot meditate every day, do so for at least one day in a year – on Shivratri day – keep awake and do meditation”.
Chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’
- ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ is the perfect mantra to chant on Mahashivratri, as it immediately elevates your energy.
- ‘Om’, in the mantra, refers to the sound of the universe. It means peace and love. The five letters, ‘Na’, ‘Ma’, ‘Shi’, ‘Va’, ‘Ya’ in ‘Namah Shivaya’ indicate the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether.
- Chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ harmonizes the five elements of the universe. When there is peace, love and harmony in all the five elements, then there is bliss and joy.
- Along with OM Namah Shivay Chanting you can chant – Shiv Tandav Stotram and Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam
Attend or Perform Mahashivratri Puja / Rudra Puja
Rudra Puja or Mahashivratri Puja is a special ceremony performed to honor Lord Shiva. It involves singing special Vedic mantras accompanied by certain rituals. Rudra Puja brings positivity and purity to the environment, and transforms negative emotions. Participating in the Puja and listening to the chants helps the mind slip into meditation effortlessly.
Meditate to the chants of the auspicious Mahashivratri Puja at The Art of Living International Center, Bengaluru.
Worship the Shiva Linga
The Shivalinga is a symbolic representation of the formless Shiva. Worshipping the Shivalinga includes offering ‘Bel Patra’ (leaves of the bel tree) to it. Offering ‘Bel Patra’ represents offering three aspects of your being – rajas (the aspect of you that is responsible for activity), tamas (the aspect of you that brings inertia) and sattva (the aspect of you that brings positivity, peace, and creativity). These three aspects affect your mind and actions. Surrendering the three to the Divine brings peace and freedom.
Wake the Divinity that is deep within you
The Divinity is within you, let it wake up!