Maha shivaratiri 2020

About Maha shivaratri

Maha shivaratri is an annual festival dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, and is particularly important in the Shaivism tradition of Hinduism. Unlike most Hindu festivals which are celebrated during the day, the Maha shivaratri is celebrated at night. Furthermore, unlike most Hindu festivals which include expression of cultural revelry, the Maha shivaratri is a solemn event notable for its introspective focus, fasting, meditation on Shiva, self study, social harmony and an all night vigil at Shiva temples. The celebration includes maintaining a "jaagaran", an all-night vigil and prayers, because Shaiva Hindus mark this night as "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in one's life and the world through Shiva. Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk to Shiva are made, some perform all-day fasting with vedic or tantric worship of Shiva, and some perform meditative Yoga.[11] In Shiva temples, "Om Namah Shivaya", the sacred mantra of Shiva, is chanted through the day. Maha shivaratri is celebrated over three or ten days based on the Hindu luni-solar calendar. Every lunar month, there is a Mahashivaratri (12 per year). The main festival is called Maha shivaratri, or great Mahashivaratri, which is held on 13th night (waning moon) and 14th day of the month Phalguna. In the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in either February or March.

Maha Sivarathiri 2020 Date

21 February 2020

Maha shivaratri Fasting Rules

Traditionally, people who observe fast on Maha shivaratri would take bath early in the morning, with warm water and black sesame seeds. However, nowadays, people prefer to take a hot water shower, in the morning.

Bathing during Shivarathiri Fasting

By bathing, it is believed that the bodily impurities are washed away. After wearing new laundered clothes, the devotees would visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple to worship the deity. The ritual of bathing Shiva Linga with milk and honey takes place in temples of the diety, on the festival.

Temple Pooja during Shivarathiri Fasting

While in the temple, the devotees would sing devotional songs and bhajans, to invoke Lord Shiva. All through the day and night during the festival, they would indulge in chanting of three words 'Om Namah Shivaya'.

Food For Shivarathiri Fasting

A diet is followed by the devotees of Lord Shiva, on Maha Shivarathiri. On the day, they would abstain from food made with rice, pulses or wheat. However, the devotees may eat fruits and drink tea, milk or coffee during the fast, if they have not observed nirahar vrat (fast without the consumption of any form of foodstuff).