Om Namah Shivaya…..
Maha Shivratri is one of the most significant Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shivratri means the ‘Night of lord Shiva’, which is celebrated every year in the month of Phalgun according to the Hindu calendar (in the north). It is celebrated with a day-long fast in the love and honor of Lord Shiva. The devotees stay up all night and perform puja for their lord at Nishitha kaal to celebrate this auspicious day. ‘Lingam’ is worshiped on this day because it symbolizes Lord Shiva.
Let’s explore the date, puja timings, fasting rituals, and the importance of Maha Shivratri Sadhana.
Maha Shivratri 2025 Date and Pooja Timings
Wednesday, 26 February, 2025
According to hindu calendar Shivratri is observed on the Chaturdashi Tithi (the 14th day) of Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Phalguna or Magha, depending on regional traditions and Maha Shivratri 2025 will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
Maha Shivratri Pooja Time 2025:
| Maha Shivratri Event | Date and Time |
| Maha Shivratri 2025 | Wednesday, 26 Feb, 2025 |
| Nishita Kaal Pooja | 12:08 AM to 12:58 AM, 27 Feb. |
| Shivratri Fast Breaking Time | 6:48 AM to 8:54 AM. 27 Feb. |
| Maha Shivratri First Prahar | 6:18 PM to 9:26 PM |
| Maha Shivratri Second Prahar | 9:26 PM to 12:33 AM (of 27 Feb.) |
| Maha Shivratri Third Prahar | 12:33 AM to 3:40 AM (of 27 Feb.) |
| Maha Shivratri Fourth Prahar | 3:40 AM to 6:48 AM (of 27 Feb.) |
| Maha Shivratri Chaturdashi Tithi Begins | 11:08 AM on Feb 26, 2025 |
| Maha Shivratri Chaturdashi Tithi Ends | 8:54 AM on Feb 27, 2025 |
Why We Celebrate Maha Shivratri
Mahashivratri has deep meaning in Hindu mythology and spirituality. Here are the most important stories behind this special night:
1. The Blessed Wedding of Shiva and Parvati
Many devotees celebrate this day as the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati, representing the combination of male (Shiva) and female (Shakti) energies.
2. The Cosmic Dance of Shiva (Tandava)
It is believed that on this night Lord Shiva performs his cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction.
3. Emergence of Shiva Lingam
It is believed that on this night Lord Shiva performs his cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction.
4. Samundra Manthan
During Samudra Manthan pot of poison came out. Lord Shiva drank this poison to save the universe, holding it in his throat, which turned blue and gave him the name Neelkanth. This event is believed to have happened on Mahashivratri.
How to Perform MahaShivratri Sadhana?
The Process is as Follow:
- Complete Shiva Namaskar 12 times continuously on empty stomach and after doing that, start chanting Sarvebhyo three times. You have to do this daily either before sunrise or after sunset. Here is the video of Shiva Namaskar and Sarvebhyo Chant.
Link to the Audio of Sarvebhyo Chant Audio
Sarvebhyo Chant
Aum Sarvebhyo Devebhyo Namaha
(We bow down to all the celestial and divine beings)
Aum Pancha Bhutaya Namaha
(We bow down to the five elements)
Aum Shri Sathguruve Namaha
(We bow down to the Eternal Guru)
Aum Shri Pritviyai Namaha
(We bow down to Mother Earth)
Aum Adi Yogishwaraya Namaha
(We bow down to the One who is the Origin of Yoga)
Aum, Aum, Aum
- Take some water and soak 8-10 peppercorns together with 2-3 vilva or neem leaves in honey, and few groundnuts overnight. When you complete the Shiva Namaskar and chanting, chew the leaves, consume the peppercorns after mixing them with lemon juice, and eat the groundnuts too. You can also use neem powder, if the neem leaves are not available. Make sure to finish your regular sadhana such as Shambhavi Mahamudra before consuming these. To know about Shambhavi Mahamudra watch this video below, you’ll learn how to perform it.
- Use either lamp or candle; light it once in the morning and once in evening daily.
- Chant the Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya chant 12 times daily. Once in the morning and once in the evening after lighting the lamp. The best time for sadhana is 40-minute sandhya kalas. The two important sandhya kalas starts 20 minutes before and end 20 minutes after sunrise and sunset. Here is the mantra of Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya chant-
Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya
Bhuta Bhuta Bhuteshwaraya
Kala Kala Kaleshwaraya
Shiva Shiva Sarveshwaraya
Shambho Shambho Mahadevaya
Download This Image And Get the Positive Effect of Chanting
Points To Keep in Mind
- You can perform Shiv Namaskar during your menstrual cycle too
- Shiv Namaskar is not advisable to the pregnant ladies
- Using cushions or chairs are fine if you are suffering from any disease which can be a hurdle while performing.
Maha Shivratri 2025: Pooja Vidhi
The Shivratri Puja involves offering holy items to the Shivling while chanting powerful mantras of Lord Shiva.
Maha Shivratri Pooja Samaghari
- Shiva Linga or Idol
- Bilva Patra (Bel Leaves)
- Milk, Honey, Ghee, Sugar, and Curd for panchamrit
- Sandalwood Paste, flowers, and Vibhuti
- Rudraksha Mala for chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’
Maha Shivratri Pooja Vidhi
Early Morning Bath: Clean yourself before starting the puja.
Sanctify the Puja Altar: Place an image or idol of Lord Shiva and decorate it with flowers.
Perform Abhishekam: Bath the Shivling with water, Panchamrit, and Gangajal.
Offer Bilva Leaves & Prasad: Place Bel Patra while chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’.
Light the Diyas & Incense Sticks: Invoke divine blessings with aarti and bhajans.Night-Long Jagran: Stay awake all night, meditate, and chant Shiva’s name.
Maha Shivratri Vrat: Fasting Rituals and Guidelines
Keeping fast on Mahashivratri is believed to bring spiritual cleansing and blessings.
Types of Fast
- Nirjala Vrat: No food, no water.
- Phalahar Vrat: Fruits, milk, and light fasting food.
The fast is broken the next morning after praying to Lord Shiva.
Watch Jio Hotstar Maha Shivratri Special 12 Jyotirling Darshan LIVE
For those who can not visit temples and want to enjoy Maha Shivratri at home, JioHotstar will be streaming special programs on February 26, 2025. These include:
- Live coverage from major Shiva temples across India
- Devotional music performances by famous artists
- Documentaries about the importance of Maha Shivratri
- Guided meditation sessions with spiritual leaders
- Special episodes of mythological shows about Lord Shiva
May this Mahashivratri bring peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth to all devotees.
Har Har Mahadev!
FAQ
A. We have already mentioned the procedure of Shiv Sadhana. Here is a video tutorial of the same.
A. It is advisable to complete the fast on time. Nothing bad happens to you or your family as such, but for the love of Lord Shiva, one should not disrespect by breaking it.
A. There are 2 types of Mahashivratri fasts. You can observe fast where you can have fruits and dairy products and another one is where you cannot eat or drink anything throughout the fast.
A. You can eat fruits and dairy products like milk etc. Don’t forget that you cannot have salt on that day. In fact, you can have coffee too, but you cannot add onion, garlic to your food.
A. No, the black colour should be strongly avoided. Prefer white or light colors and don’t wear dark colors.
You can purchase all the above-mentioned products at our store at discounted rates. And also, listen to Shivratri vrat katha on youtube. We wish you a very happy Shivratri 2022.
