🕉️ Maha Shivaratri Puja – Worship of Lord Shiva

Maha Shivaratri is one of the most significant Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva, observed on the 14th night (Chaturdashi) of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) in the month of Phalguna/Magha (February–March). It symbolizes the cosmic union of Shiva and Shakti, and the night of awakening (jagran) for spiritual seekers.

🛕 Significance of Maha Shivaratri

  • Celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
  • It is believed that on this night, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava, the cosmic dance of creation and destruction.
  • Fasting and praying on Maha Shivaratri is said to cleanse sins and grant moksha (liberation).

🕯️ Maha Shivaratri Puja Vidhi (Rituals)

🧘 1. Pre-Puja Preparations

  • Wake up early, bathe (preferably with sesame-seed water) and wear clean white or saffron clothes.
  • Clean the puja area and place a Shiva Linga or picture of Lord Shiva on a sacred platform.
  • Observe a fast (upavasa)—devotees take only fruits, milk, or water.

🔱 2. Shiva Linga Abhishekam (Sacred Bathing)

Perform Abhishekam (ritual bathing) of the Shiva Linga with the following items:

Item

Symbolism

Water

Purity

Milk

Piety and spiritual growth

Honey

Sweetness in life

Ghee

Strength

Yogurt

Prosperity

Sugar

Happiness

Each offering is accompanied by chanting “Om Namah Shivaya”.

🌸 3. Offerings (Upacharas)

  • Bilva (Bel) leaves, flowers (especially Datura and white lotus)
  • Fruits like bananas, coconut, and sacred ash (vibhuti)
  • Incense sticks, diya (oil lamp), and camphor

📜 Mantras and Chants

  • Main Mantra:

🕉️ Om Namah Shivaya (108 or 1008 times)

  • Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra:

“Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat”

  • Recite Shiva Stotram, Shiva Ashtottaram (108 Names), or Shiv Tandav Stotra.

🌙 Night Vigil (Jagaran)

  • Devotees stay awake the entire night chanting bhajans and meditating on Lord Shiva.
  • The night is divided into 4 prahars (quarters). Perform Abhishekam and puja during each.

🍲 Fasting Rules

  • Avoid grains, rice, onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food.
  • Allowed: fruits, milk, nuts, and vrat-special dishes like sabudana khichdi, kheer, etc.

📖 Spiritual Belief

  • Worshipping Lord Shiva on this night brings:
    • Removal of past karmas
    • Strength to overcome difficulties
    • Peace, health, and spiritual awakening

📍 Popular Shiva Temples Celebrating Maha Shivaratri

  • Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi)
  • Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain)
  • Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
  • Lingaraj Temple (Odisha)
  • Sri Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Pashupatinath (Nepal)