- By Kashish Rai
- Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:24 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Maha Shivratri 2025: Mahashivratri is a significant Hindu festival, celebrated annually in February or March, in honour of Lord Shiva. This momentous occasion commemorates the night of Lord Shiva's divine dance, signifying the conquest of ignorance and darkness. While Shivratri occurs monthly, Maha Shivratri is a grand celebration held on the 13th or 14th night of the waning moon. Devotees actively worship Lord Shiva, seeking his blessings and spiritual growth. This sacred festival serves as a meaningful time for spiritual introspection, worship and connection with the divine. This year, devotees are observing Maha Shivratri Vrat on 26th February 2025, Wednesday.
Check all the significant details regarding the Nishita Kaal puja muhurat, Prahar puja timings, significance and puja vidhi to worship Mahadev below:
Maha Shivratri 2025: Date And Time
- Maha Shivratri 2025 Date: 26th February 2025, Wednesday
- Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: 11:08 AM, 26th February 2025
- Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: 08:54 AM, 27th February 2025
Maha Shivratri 2025: Nishita Kaal Muhurat
The Nishita Kaal Muhurat timings on Maha Shivratri are from 12:08 AM to 12:57 AM, 27th February 2025
Maha Shivratri 2025: Prahar Timings
- Ratri First Prahar Puja Time: 06:28 PM to 09:30 PM
- Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time: 09:30 PM to 12:32 AM, 27th February 2025
- Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time: 12:32 AM to 03:34 AM, 27th February 2025
- Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time: 03:34 AM to 06:37 AM, 27th February 2025
Maha Shivratri signifies Lord Shiva's triumph over ignorance and darkness, symbolising spiritual growth, self-realisation and redemption, seeking his blessings for a harmonious and balanced life. (Image Source: Freepik)
Maha Shivratri 2025: Significance
Maha Shivratri is a celebration of the divine union between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in Hinduism. According to legend, worshipping Lord Shiva and fasting on this day brings immense spiritual benefits, equivalent to a year of rigorous prayer. Women also pray to Lord Shiva, seeking blessings for their husbands to be strong and omnipotent like the Lord himself.
Another legend tells the story of Samudra Manthan, where Lord Shiva saved the world by consuming the deadly poison Halahala. This heroic act turned his throat blue, earning him the reverence of Neelkanth. On Maha Shivratri, devotees express gratitude for Lord Shiva's selfless act that protected the world from destruction.
A third legend recounts the story of Brahma and Vishnu's argument over supremacy, which was settled by the emergence of a gigantic Lingam. Lord Shiva appeared, declaring himself supreme and worthy of worship in the Lingam form. To this day, Rudrabhishek is offered to Shivling to appease Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.
Maha Shivratri 2025: Puja Vidhi
Devotees begin their Mahashivratri celebrations by waking up early, taking a bath and wearing clean clothes. A visit to the nearest temple or a ritual bath to the Shiva Lingam at home follows, where worshippers offer honey, milk, water and Bel-Patra to the Lingam. They spend the entire day and night worshipping Lord Shiva, chanting hymns and the 'Om Namah Shivaya' mantra.
In the evening, devotees take a second bath before performing Shiva Puja or visiting the temple. The Puja is typically done at night, and they break their fast the next morning after taking a bath. Devotees must break their fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to reap the maximum benefits of the Vrat.
Additionally, adherents can perform the Shivaratri Puja once or four times during the night, dividing the night into four Prahar to perform the Puja four times.
(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information, Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert in the relevant field.)
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