Mahashivratri Date and Time: When is Mahashivratri in 2024?

Mahashivratri 2024: Puja Time

• Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 09:57 pm on 8 March
• Chaturdashi Tithi ends at 06:17 pm on 9 March.
• Nishita Kaal Puja is 2:07 am to 12:56 am on 9 March
• And, Shivaratri Parana time is between 06:37 am to 03:29 am

When is Mahashivratri in 2024?

Maha Shivratri is defined as Lord Shiva’s great night. it is an important event for fasting, meditation on Shiva, self-study, social harmony, and an all-night vigil at Shiva temples. According to the Hindu calendar, 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.

Mahashivratri 2024: Why is the festival celebrated

Hindu mythology states that Lord Shiva wed Goddess Parvati on this particular night, known as ‘The Night of Lord Shiva’, to celebrate their divine union. Lord Shiva symbolizes mindfulness (Purusha), while Maa Parvati symbolizes nature (Prakriti), and their union of consciousness and energy fosters creation.

Mahashivratri 2024: Puja Rituals

Observing a fast during Mahashivratri is regarded as highly auspicious. Followers of Lord Shiva visit the temple to present ‘Panchamrit’ to Lord Shiva, which comprises milk, yogurt, honey, sugar, and clarified butter.

Mahashivratri Vrat Types 

In India, people observe three types of fasting on Mahashivratri to seek blessings from Lord Shiva.

Nirjala Vrat 

When observing this Vrat, remember that you should abstain from consuming water or food throughout the fasting period, starting from midnight on March 8th and concluding at sunrise on March 9th.

Phalahara Vrat 

This type of fasting allows devotees to have water, tea, coconut water, coffee, fruit juice, lassi, and dry fruits, but they must avoid salty options.

Samapta 

During this fast, one can eat everything listed under Phalahara, as well as a special meal that may consist of desserts such as makhana kheer, rice kheer, jaggery kheer, sooji halwa, and more.

Mahashivratri 2024: Fasting rules

Many followers of Lord Shiva observe fast on Mahashivratri. Some abstain from both food and water, while others consume items such as potato, makhana, banana, and pumpkin. To observe a fast on Mahashivratri, one should refrain from consuming wheat, rice, salt, specific vegetables, pulses, and similar foods. Additionally, non-vegetarian items, onion, and garlic should be completely avoided.

Various Mahashivratri Fasting Rules 

• On this occasion people clean their house, especially the puja room where Lord Shiva is Placed.
• People wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath first before beginning any puja rituals.
• On the day of Mahashivratri no salt should be consumed by the people.
• Cutting nails and hairs on that day is considered inauspicious.
• People should opt for the lifestyle of sattvik on the day of festival and stay away from activities of tamasik like eating meat, garlic, onion, gambling, abusing or fighting.
• At the time of Mahashivratri festival, devotees should get involved in meditation.
• On this auspicious day, mantra chanting is a must for seeking blessing of Lord Shiva.
• Perform Rudrabhishekam or Jalabishakham to please the Lord.
• Reading holy books like Shiv Chalisa is rewarding for fast observers.

How to Break Mahashivratri Fast 

Devotees are required to take a ceremonial bath and conduct prayers on 9th March 2024 by lighting a lamp using clarified butter in front of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. They should present homemade sweets such as halwa, kheer, or other fruits, along with offerings like sabzi, poori, and raita as bhog prasad. The food must first be offered to the deities before being consumed, and no non-vegetarian dishes should be eaten on this day.

Mahashivratri Images 2024

Mahashivratri 2024: Things you can offer to Lord Shiva

Offerings to Lord Shiva can include ‘bhel patra, dhatura flower, curd, ghee, sandalwood’. In addition, sweets such as barfi, peda, and payasam/kheer made with milk and its products are also acceptable. It is advised not to use a kumkum tilak and to use sandalwood paste instead during the puja.

Mahashivratri 2024 Fasting Rules Significance 

Fasting detoxifies the body and mind purifies 

• At the time of fasting the body feels lighter and the mind gets more relaxed as the restlessness decreases. But at the same time the mind becomes highly alert.
• When it happens, this is highly prepared for meditation and prayer which is the central aspect of celebrating Mahashivratri festival.

Enhancing the powers of prayers 

• When both body and mind are detoxified there is higher strength in your prayers and intentions.
• When you mix the fasting of Shivratri with meditation you enhance the possibility of desires getting manifested.
• It is said that the grace of Lord Shiva is bestowed upon you at the time of observing Shivratri Vrat with devotion and sincerity your wishes are fulfilled.

Absolving you of sins 

• Fasting is responsible to frees the mind of navigate emotions such as anger, greed, anxiety and lust.
• This believed that when you are fasting and chanting the names of lords, you are absolved of all your sins.

Why is Mahashivratri Celebrated?

Maha Shivratri originates from Puranic texts like Skanda, Linga, and Padma Puranas. It celebrates the union of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Shaivism believes Shiva performs the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction on this sacred night. Mahashivratri is significant for spiritual seekers, families, and those with worldly goals. For families, it marks Shiva’s wedding anniversary; for the ambitious, it symbolizes his victory over adversaries.

Ascetics believe that on Mahashivratri, Shiva merged with Mount Kailash, symbolizing stillness. In yogic culture, Shiva is seen as the Adi Guru, the original source of Yoga. The day signifies complete stillness attained after eons of meditation. It’s believed that Shiva consumed poison during Samudra Manthana to protect gods and humanity. Mahashivratri celebrations honor him as the savior of life.

How Is Mahashivaratri Celebrated Every Year?

Mahashivratri, a Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva, dates back to the 5th century. It symbolizes overcoming darkness and ignorance in life. Celebrated with worship, prayers, fasting, and meditation, it emphasizes values like honesty and charity. Annual dance festivals like Natyanjali are held at key Hindu temples. Mahashivratri offers a spiritual connection to the creator, fostering unity and peace for all who celebrate this sacred occasion.