Mahashivratri 2024: Date, Significance, Celebration, Fasting Rules, Reason Behind Celebration and More

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Mahashivratri 2024: Date, Significance, Celebration, Fasting Rules, Reason Behind Celebration and More

Maha Shivratri 2024

Mahashivratri is one of the most important and auspicious festivals for Hindus all around the world.  This annual festival celebrates the sacred union of Shiva and Shakti or Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Their wedding represents love, power and unity and a beautiful wedding and fusion that takes place at night. This festival is celebrated by millions of Hindu around the world with great joy and festivities. Today in this area we will discuss the history and Significance of Maha Shivratri. Along with it we’ll also discuss the fasting rules of Mahashivratri. So for all the devotees of Lord Shiva you’ll get all the information at a single place.

 

 

 

When is Mahashivratri in 2024?

Maha Shivratri 2024

Mahashivratri is one the  greatest nights in the Hindu mythology. It is an important festival that celebrates  the wedding of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. Being the  Aadi Yogi, this festival also promotes meditation,  jagran and fasting till midnight. If we talk about the dates Maha Shivratri is observed annually on the fourteenth day of the dark (waning) half of the lunar month of Phalguna or Magha. This year, the day falls on the Gregorian calendar of March 8, 2024, Friday. Below we have mentioned the timings and important dates and tithis of Mahashivratri. You can refer to them for planning your time to do pooja.

 

Maha Shivratri Date March 8, 2024
Maha Shivratri Day Friday
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins 21:57 on Mar 08, 2024
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends 18:17 on Mar 09, 2024
Nishita Kaal Puja Time 00:07 to 00:56, Mar 09
Ratri First Prahar Puja Time 18:25 to 21:28
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time 21:28 to 00:31, Mar 09
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time 00:31 to 03:34, Mar 09
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time 03:34 to 06:37, Mar 09
Shivratri Parana Time 06:37 to 15:29

 

 

 

Why is Mahashivratri celebrated?

Happy Mahashivratri  2024

The origin of Maha Shivratri is found in several Puranic texts, including the Skanda, Linga, and Padma Puranic texts. Maha Shivratri is commemorated as the wedding anniversary of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Whereas, the legend of Shaivism states that Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation, and destruction on this night.

 

If we talk about the origin of Maharashtra Shivratri it can be found in lots of different puranas including the Skanda, Linga, and Padma Puranic texts. Almost all of them certify that the Mahashivratri is celebrated to commemorate the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Whereas, the legend of Shaivism states that Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation, and destruction on this night popularly known as Tandav. Whatever the reason behind for the celebration for the Mahashivratri, it holds a great significance for all the Hindus around yeh world. As per Sadhguru “Mahashivratri is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. It is also very significant for people who are in family situations, and also for the ambitious in the world. People who live in family situations observe Mahashivratri as Shiva’s wedding anniversary. Those with worldly ambitions see that day as the day Shiva conquered all his enemies. But, for the ascetics, it is the day he became one with Mount Kailash. He became like a mountain—still. In the yogic tradition, Shiva is not worshipped as a God, but considered as the Adi Guru, the first Guru from whom the science of Yoga originated. After many millennia in meditation, one day he became still. That day is Mahashivratri. All movement in him stopped and he became utterly still, so ascetics see Mahashivratri as the night of stillness.”

 

Furthermore one school of thought also believe that the Shivratri is the same day as the samudra manthan when lord Shiva ingested the poison for the good of the world and held it around his neck for the good of gods and humanity and to honour this Mahashivratri is celebrated. So different people have different anecdotes for Mahashivratri but the one thing that remains the same is their love for Lord Shiva.

 

 

 

 

How Is Mahashivaratri Celebrated Every Year?

Maha Shivratri 2024

Mahashivratri being one of the most important features for Hindus all around the world is celebrated with great joy all around the world. People observe fast and have bhajans at their homes to Celebrate the wedding of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. Furthermore dance festivals are organised at Famous shiva temples in India such as Konark, Khajuraho, Pattadakal, Modhera, and Chidambaram. This event is called Natyanjali, which means “worship through dance.” You should also visit temples and worship lord Shiva. Temples are decorated with light and the shringar of shivlings is done which is absolutely beautiful to watch. Every devotee should participate in the aarti of Mahashivratri.

 

 

 

 

 

Fasting Rules for Mahashivratri

Fasting Rules for Mahashivratri

Devotees who are observing the  fast of Mahashivratri should follow certain rules to truly complete their fast. Even Though the fast of Maha Shivratri is not that hard there are some rules that every devotee should follow.

  • Devotees should wake up early in the morning and clean their house and temples as it is important to do so before doing pooja .
  • After cleaning the homes devotees should take a bath and wear clean clothes.
  • For the whole day the devotees should not consume salt or any grains. As this is not allowed in fasts. However you can eat fruits and have some milk.
  • While opening the fast make sure the food is Saatvik no onion or garlic should be present in it.

 

So this is your complete guide on Mahashivratri. We have discussed everything that you might need to know while celebrating the festival. So happy mahashivratri.

 

 

FAQs About Mahashivratri:

1. What is Mahashivratri?
– Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually to honor the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It signifies the union of Shiva and Shakti.

 

2. When is Mahashivratri in 2024?
– Mahashivratri in 2024 falls on March 8th, which is a Friday.

 

3. Why is Mahashivratri celebrated?
– Mahashivratri is celebrated to commemorate the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It also symbolizes the night when Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction.

 

4. How is Mahashivratri celebrated?
– Mahashivratri is celebrated with fasting, prayers, bhajans, and visits to Shiva temples. Devotees observe strict fasting rules and participate in rituals like bathing the Shiva lingam and performing aarti.

 

5. What are the fasting rules for Mahashivratri?
– Devotees observing the fast of Mahashivratri abstain from consuming grains and salt. They can have fruits and milk but should avoid onion and garlic. The food consumed during the fast should be saatvik.

 

6. What is the significance of Mahashivratri?
– Mahashivratri holds significance as it symbolizes spiritual awakening, the triumph of good over evil, and the power of devotion. It is believed to be a night of divine blessings and spiritual transformation.

 

7. Where is Mahashivratri celebrated?
– Mahashivratri is celebrated by Hindus worldwide, with major celebrations held in India. Devotees gather at Shiva temples, pilgrimage sites, and holy rivers to offer prayers and seek blessings.

 

8. What are the timings for Mahashivratri rituals?
– The Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 21:57 on March 8th, 2024, and ends at 18:17 on March 9th, 2024. The Nishita Kaal Puja time is from 00:07 to 00:56 on March 9th.

 

9. Is Mahashivratri only for ascetics?
– No, Mahashivratri is celebrated by people from all walks of life. While ascetics see it as a night of stillness and spiritual significance, families celebrate it as Shiva’s wedding anniversary and a day of conquering obstacles.

 

10. What is the spiritual significance of Mahashivratri?
– Mahashivratri holds immense spiritual significance as it represents the awakening of consciousness and the pursuit of self-realization. It is believed that on this night, one can attain divine grace and liberation from worldly bondage.

 

 

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