Maha Shivaratri 2023:

Maha Shivaratri is a hindu festival. Mahashivratri 2023 According to Hindu religious beliefs, Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival for Shiva devotees. The Name Maha Shivratri meaning in Sanskrit is “Great Night of Shiva ”. Every year the 14th day of Krishna Paksha of Magha Masam from the month of February to March. Chaturdashi day is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This year Maha Shivaratri is on 18th February 2023. According to Puranas, it is said that the marriage of Shiva and Parvati took place on this auspicious day. And according to the legend, it is on this night that Lord Shiva performs his heavenly dance or ‘Tandav’.

That is why many people believe that if they fast and observe Shiva on this day, they will get the grace of the Lord. According to Shastras, this creation is believed to have started from the day of Maha Shivaratri. Many stories about Shivaratri are popular in Garuda Purana, Skanda Purana, description of Shivaratri, Padma Purana, Agnipurana. Many believe that those who worship Lord Shiva with bilva(bael) leaves and chant Shiva mantras on this auspicious day will attain salvation.

How to worship on Maha Sivaratri 2023:

On the day of Maha Shivratri 18th February 2023,one should wake up in Brahma Muhurtham, that is from 03:30 am – 05:00 am, cleanse the body thoroughly, take a clean bath and clean the puja room.

Lord Shiva in Linga form should be anointed with pure water, cow’s milk, panchamrut with various pooja materials and flowers, especially with maredu bhajans, bilva leaves, tummy poo, gogupoo, white and green flowers, but should be worshipped by remembering the panchakshari mantra Om Namashivaya.

Tambhulam, Sweet potato (Ratnapuri Gadda), banana, guava, persimmon fruit should be offered and Shiva Ashtottaram/Panchakshari mantra should be chanted with devotion during the puja. Pratahkala pooja before 9 am will give best results for the puja.

Devotees fast all day on Mahashivratri and fast is only broken on the Next day. Mahashivratri is observed through the Night devotees staying awake all night called “Jagarana ” night long vigil. Spend their whole time on devotional activities like chanting mantras, performing bhajans, doing pooja to Lord and many others perform Abhishekam to Lord Shiva.

Significance of Maha Shivratri:

KsheeraSagara Madhanam

In mythology, gods and asuras churning the milky ocean for nectar. In that sequence, Shiva swallows the saliva(poison) that came out earlier. If Shiva slept that night, there was a danger that the poison would spread throughout his body. To prevent him from falling asleep, all the gods and asuras together played the whole night.

Since then, every year in the month of Magha, the multiple Chaturdashi day. We celebrate the Jagarana they played as Mahashivaratri. Devotees worship Shiva on that day with fasting and vigils. Lord Shiva became Neelakanteswarudu (blue-throated)due to hiding that poison in his throat.

Lingodbhavam

If I am great, then Brahma and Vishnu are quarrelling. To satisfy their need, Lord Shiva came in the form of Linga. The day of his rebirth is celebrated as Mahashivaratri. Now let us know the story behind the emergence of Lord Shiva in the form of Mahalinga.

If Brahma says that I am great because I am the creator of creation, I am the one who writes the writings of all living beings. Is it enough for me to write without moving my feet?

So I am great, says Vishnu. As their debt is not enough, Lord Shiva steps in to fulfil it. Lord Shiva says that there is a pillar of fire in one place. Whoever finds its beginning and end is great, then leave.

Brahma Vishnu sets out to find out the details of the fire pillar. Brahma for the beginning and Vishnu for the end. Unable to find an end to it no matter how hard he tried, Vishnumurthy accepted defeat and went to Shiva. On the way, Brahma saw Kamadhenu(cow) and Mogalipuvvu and asked him to find the pillar of fire. After both of them come together. Shiva says that he is the pillar of fire. It has no end.

Realising that Shiva is greater than them, Brahma and Vishnu meditate on Lord Shiva in Linga form with the Panchakshari mantra and worship with the maredu leaves. Immediately Lord Shiva appears and says I am all Me. My presence is always there for those who worship Me. That is Shivratri. The day when Lord Shiva emerged in Linga form. Lord Shiva is believed to have emerged in Linga form in Magha masam (month) Arudra Nakshatram  (star).

Since then, Mahashivratri is observed as a festival on every new moon day of Magha masam . Devotees believe that if Rudrabhishekam is done to Shivalinga, fasting and vigil from morning, everything will be fine.

Few Famous Shiva Temples in India:

Lingaraj Temple, Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, Annamalaiyar Temple, Vadakkunnathan Temple ,Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, Kandariya, Mahadeva Temple, Tungnath Temple, Bhojpur Shiva Temple, Amarnath Temple, Kailashnath Temple,  Kedarnath Temple, Somnath Temple, Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Sri Kalahastiswara Temple, Draksharamam Temple, Somaramam Temple, Omkareshwar Temple, Trimbakeshwar, Mahakaleshwar Temple, Bhimashankar Temple, Kashi Vishwanath, Vaidyanath Temple, Nageshwar Temple, Ramanathaswamy Temple, Grishneshwar Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thirukadaiyur Temple, Shore Temple, Kotilingeshwara Temple.

Tithi, Date, Time, and Muhurat Muhurat Timings for Maha Shivratri in 2023

On February 18, 2023, Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 8:02 PM.

On February 19, 2023, Chaturdashi Tithi ends at 04:18 PM.

Timing of the First Prahar Puja of Ratri 06:13 PM to 09:24 PM

Ratri Second Prahar Puja Timing, February 19: 09:24 PM to 12:35 AM

Timing of the Third Prahar Puja for Ratri on February 19: 12:35 AM to 03:46 AM

Time for the Fourth Prahar Puja of Ratri on February 19: 03:46 AM to 06:56 AM

Timing for the Nishita Kaal Puja on February 19: 12:09 AM to 1:00 AM

How to observe fasting and vigil (Jagarana)

It is a tradition of Hindus to observe fast and vigil on the day of Maha Shivratri. Do not eat meat, egg, etc. on the day before the fast and on the day after the fast. Do not drink alcohol. We are fasting anyway, some people say that it is difficult to resist hunger when they wake up in the morning, some people wake up late. One should not do that. On the morning of the fast, one should wake up before sunrise, take a bath from the head and perform Shiva darshan, and fast with the name of Shiva. One should keep vigil by worshipping Shivling at night. Vedic scholars say that even if you do not know the method of worship and mantras, if you participate in things like fasting, vigil, bilvarchana and abhishekam, you will get Shiva’s blessings.

When to end the fast

If you do this, the planned tasks will happen. They suggest that fasting and vigil on the day of Shivratri will bring wealth. Vigilance with chanting/remembering Panchakshari Maha Mantra Om Namah Shivaya throughout Shivaratri awakens the infinite energy stored within you. On the next morning of Shivaratri, visit the Shiva temple, take Prasadam, come home and eat and break the fast. An important thing to be remembered by all is that those who observe fast and vigil on Shivratri should not sleep till the next night, the elders say that only then will the full fruition be attained.

Shivratri fast what to eat

what to eat in shivratri fast: It is advised to break the fast on Shivratri with a basic supper of fruits and milk. The advantages of the fast can be neutralized by consuming non-vegetarian food, alcohol, or other forbidden foods. It may also cause physical discomfort.

can we eat salt in shivratri fast: All items are prepared with rock salt or Sendha Namak and no iodized salt is used at all.

Maha Shivaratri Images: