Written by Yoga Mentor Keshav, with facts sourced from Ancient Indian Ayurvedic and Yogic Textbooks, as well as scientific research.
Looking to deepen your spiritual journey? Maha Shivratri 2024, a special festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the perfect time! This year’s celebration promises a powerful experience with auspicious timings (Maha Shivratri muhurat) and five meaningful mantras (Maha Shivratri 5 Mantras).
This important Hindu festival is a night of spiritual transformation and devotion. Remember ! there is a difference between Maha Shivratri and Shivratri.
Maha Shivratri night is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the deity known as the destroyer, transformer, and ultimately, the source of all creation.
It’s a night where darkness is not feared, symbolizing the overcoming of ignorance and negativity within ourselves.
Maha Shivratri holds immense significance for Hindus.
Maha Shivratri is a significant festival for Hindus due to its profound spiritual implications. Here’s a simplified explanation of its importance:
Path to Liberation : Worship on this day is thought to lead to Moksha, the liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It’s a time for self-reflection and spiritual awakening.
Know Yourself : What is your Prakriti?
Harmony of Energies: The festival celebrates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Parvati. This represents the balance of masculine and feminine forces, symbolizing the equilibrium that sustains the universe.
Victory over Darkness: Maha Shivratri marks the transition from winter to spring, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
This encourages devotees to overcome their inner negativity and ignorance.
Personal Growth: The night is dedicated to Lord Shiva and provides a unique opportunity for self-improvement.
Through fasting, meditation, and prayers, devotees aim to cleanse their minds, bodies, and souls.
In 2024, Maha Shivratri falls on Friday, March 8th. Devotees observe this day with various traditions and rituals, Maha Shivratri is celebrated with these rituals :
Fasting: Many devotees observe a day-long fast, abstaining from food and water.
This act of self-discipline is seen as a way to cleanse the body and focus on spiritual pursuits.
Night Vigil: Staying awake throughout the night is a core practice of Maha Shivratri.
Also Read : Yoga For Beginners-A Step by Step Guide
Chanting the maha mantra, “Om Namah Shivaya,” singing devotional songs that fill the air with divine melody, and engaging in deep meditation with the rhythmic flow of pranayama – these practices not only ignite the inner fire but also unlock the profound blessings of Maha Shivratri.
According to the Hindu calendar (Panchang), the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi Tithi of the Phalguna month will begin on March 8 at 9:57 PM in the evening.
It will end on the next day, March 9 at 6:17 PM in the evening. This is the best time for Maha Shivratri Puja.
Nishita Kaal Puja: The most auspicious time of the night is Nishita Kaal, typically falling between midnight and 2 AM. During this time, devotees perform special pujas, offering prayers and abhishek (pouring water) to Lord Shiva.
Nishita Kaal Puja Time – March 9 from 00:07 to 00:56. Duration – 49 Minutes.
निशीथे शिवारात्रौ यः करोति शिवपूजनम्।
स सर्वपापसंयुक्तो मुक्तो भवति निश्चितम्।।
Nishite shivaraatrau yah karoti shivapoojanam। Sa sarva-paapa-samyukto mukto bhavati nishchitam।।
Meaning:
Whoever worships Shiva during Nishita Kaal on the night of Shivratri, surely gets liberated from all sins.
Temple Visits: Devotees visit Shiva temples this day and throughout the night, participating in rituals and offer prayers.
Prayers and rituals are not mere formalities on Maha Shivratri; they hold profound significance:
Seeking Blessings: Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva, seeking his blessings for well-being, peace, and spiritual progress.
They express gratitude for his guidance and protection.
Liberation from Sins: It is believed that sincere prayers offered with a pure heart on this day can lead to the cleansing of past sins and liberation from negative karmas.
Connecting with the Divine: Through prayers and meditation, devotees strive to connect with the divine essence within themselves and the universe.
Chanting the Maha Mantra ॐ नमः शिवाय on Maha Shivratri gives blessings of Lord Shiva.
These 5 Mantras of Lord Shiva offer powerful vibrations that connect with the divine energy of Lord Shiva
न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दु:खं न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदो न यज्ञः ।
अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता चिदानन्द रूप: शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ।।
Transliteration: Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham Na Mantro Na Teertham Na Vedo Na Yajnah । Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham ।।
Meaning: I am not good deeds, nor sins, not happiness or sorrow, not mantra, not pilgrimage, not Vedas, not yajna, I am neither the food, nor the one who eats, nor the one to eat, I am the form of pure bliss, I am Shiva, I am Shiva…
प्रातः स्मरामि भवभीतिहरं सुरेशं गङ्गाधरं वृषभवाहनमम्बिकेशम् ।
खट्वाङ्गशूलवरदाभयहस्तमीशं संसाररोगहरमौषधमद्वितीयम्।।
Transliteration: Pratah Smarami Bhava-Bhitiharam Suresham Gangadharam Vrishabhavahanamambikesham । Khatvangashulavaradabhayahastameesham Samsararogaharamaushadhamadviteeyam।।
Meaning: Each morning, I seek solace in Lord Shiva, the fearless lord of all, who holds the sacred Ganga and rides his mighty bull. He, Parvati’s beloved, wields both club and trident, offering the ultimate cure – liberation from worldly woes
गङ्गाधर जगदीश शङ्कर त्रिलोचन। मृडः करुणावतार भवानीपते हर।।
Transliteration: Gangadhara Jagadisha Shankara Trilochana।Mriduh Karunavatar Bhavani-pate Hara।।
Meaning: He holds the Ganges in his locks, the universe in his gaze, and happiness in his touch. Three eyes see all, gentle yet fierce, compassion’s very form, Parvati’s beloved, and evil’s bane – hail Shiva, the divine!
ध्यायेन्नित्यं महेशं रजतगिरिनिभं चारुचन्द्रावतंसं रत्नाकल्पोज्वलाङ्गं परशुमृगवराभीतिहस्तं प्रसन्नम् । पद्मासीनं समन्तात् स्तुतममरगणैर्व्याघ्रकृत्तिं वसानं विश्वाद्यं विश्ववन्द्यं निखिलभयहरं पञ्चवक्त्रं त्रिनेत्रम् ॥
Transliteration: Dhyayennityam Mahesham Rajatagirinibham Charuchandravatansam Ratnakalpojjvalangam Parashumrigavarabhiti Hastam Prasannam | Padmasinam Samantat Stutamamaraganair Vyaghrakrittivvasanam Vishvadyam Vishvavandyam Nikhilabhayaharam Panchavaktram Trinetram1
Meaning: He’s like a bright silver mountain, decorated with gems and graceful symbols. He sits happily on his lotus seat, the creator of worlds, removing fear. The gods praise him, he who wears a tiger skin, has five faces and three eyes. He is Maheshwar, the one we meditate on every day.
ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गम् निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम्।
Transliteration: Brahmamurarisurarchitalingam Nirmalabhasitashobhitalingam
Meaning: I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva, Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas, Which is pure and resplendent, And which destroys sorrows of birth.
While the word “Shivratri” literally translates to “night of Shiva,” it refers to a monthly observance that occurs on the 14th day of the waning moon in each Hindu calendar month.
Maha Shivratri, however, is a special occasion that falls in Fagun or Magh month as per Hindu Calendar, only once a year, holding greater spiritual significance.
Shivratri is observed 12 times a year, while Maha Shivratri is celebrated once annually.
Maha Shivratri is considered more spiritually potent than regular Shivratris, often associated with the attainment of moksha.
Maha Shivratri is marked with more elaborate rituals, fasting, and night-long observances compared to regular Shivratris.
Maha Shivratri is more than just a festival. It’s a special time that helps us grow spiritually.
As we get ready for Maha Shivratri 2024, let’s remember and follow the teachings of Lord Shiva in our daily lives. This festival is a chance for us to understand more about Lord Shiva and why Maha Shivratri is so special.
Also Read : What is Yoga ? Know the True Meaning of Yoga.
As we celebrate Maha Shivratri, let us bow to Shiva, the First Yogi and Aadi Yogi, whose timeless teachings continue to guide us on the path of self-realization.
