Mahashivratri 2024: Mahashivratri is an annual Hindu festival which is celebrated to honour Lord Shiva. It is considered as the most sacred day in a year to worship Lord Shiva. Devotees from across the world come to witness this event in India and visit various Shiva temples. On this auspicious day, people bring water from different origins of Ganga and offer that pure Ganga Jal to Lord Shiva.This year, the festival of Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in Phalguna Month and falling on March 8, 2024.
Mahashivratri 2024: Check Puja Muhurat
| Tithi | Date and Time |
| Mahashivratri Celebration | March 8, 2024 |
| Chaturdashi Tithi Begins | March 8, 2024 – 09:57 PM |
| Chaturdashi Tithi Ends | March 9, 2024 – 06:17 PM |
| Ratri First Prahar Puja | March 8, 2024 – 05:54 PM to 08:56 PM |
| Ratri Second Prahar Puja | March 8, 2024 – 08:56 PM to 11:57 PM |
| Ratri Third Prahar Puja | March 8, 2024 – 11:57 PM to March 9, 2024 – 02:58 AM |
| Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja | March 8, 2024 – 02:58 AM to March 9, 2024 – 06:00 AM |
| Nishitha Kaal | March 8, 2024 – 11:33 PM to March 9, 2024 – 12:21 AM |
| Shivratri Parana | March 9, 2024 – 06:00 AM to 02:56 PM |
Nishitha Kaal is not considered auspicious so people are advised not to perform puja during that period and that starts from March 8 – 11:33 PM and March 9 12:21 AM.
Mahashivratri 2024: Significance
Maha Shivratri is one of the most sacred festivals mentioned in Hindu Scriptures. This festival is specially associated with Lord Shiva. As per the Scriptures, it was the day when Lord Shiva saved the whole universe from darkness and ingnorance and drank all the poison which was produced during the time of churning of the ocean. And people celebrate this day by observing strict fast and offering prayers to Lord Shiva. It is believed that all the sages and deities give bath to Lord Shiva with milk, bhang, curd to reduce the effect of that hazardous poison and people are still following that ritual by offering milk, bhang dhatura and sandalwood to Lord Shiva.
Mahashivratri 2024: How to worship Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri?
There are so many ways to worship Lord Shiva so let’s know more :-
- Observe Fast – People can observe Mahashivratri fast with immense devotion and dedication and follow all the rituals. This is the best time to purify your body, mind and soul by observing the fast. There are three types of observing Maha Shivratri fast so you can check here.
- Mantra Chanting – Chanting various shiva mantras during the day of Mahashivratri has many spiritual benefits. Mantra chanting is another way of connecting with the supreme power.
- Offerings – You can worship Lord Shiva by offering him various auspoicious things such as milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar powder, sandalwod paste, sugarcane juice, gangajal, bhang, dhatura, ber, and other things. Offering these things can purify the aura and ward off negativity.
- Puja Rituals – Puja includes lighting a diya with desi cow ghee, offering flowers, and performing aarti. This brings the enlightenment in life.
- Rudrabhishekam – One must visit the shiva temples to perform Rudrabhishekam as this will bring the longevity and well being in life.
- Visiting Temple – Visiting Shiva temple is considered auspicious on the day of Mahashivratri and one must take the blessings of Lord Shiva.
- Holy Bath – Mahashivratri is one of the major festivals of Hindus and taking a bath in Ganga river is considered meritorious on this auspicious day. Doing this bring the positivity in life and removes all types of sufferings from the life of devotees.
- Listening or Reciting the holy books – This is also another way of worshipping Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri day to please Lord Shiva by reading shiva chalisa, rudrashtakam, shivatandav stotram and many other scriptures dedicated to Lord Shiva. People can also get involved in listening to bhajans and mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva.
