Maha Shivaratri is mainly a Hindu festival that happens every year in honour of Lord Shiva. The day marks the marriage day of Shiva. The day happens right at the end of the winter (late February or beginning of March) or just before the arrival of summer.
A big festival for the Hindus, prayers are offered to overcome darkness and ignorance in one’s life. In 2024, the auspicious occasion will be marked on the 08th of March, Friday.
About Maha Shivaratri Festival
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu holiday that honors God Shiva. It is also called as ‘The Night of Shiva” and is held in a majority of Indian states.
Every year, the holiday falls on the moonless 14 night of the new moon in the month of Phalgun, which correspondences to the months of March and February according to the English calendar. Devotees identify day and night fast and make ritual worship of Lord Shiva.
Significance of Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is a revered Hindu holiday that holds deep spiritual significance, signifying the victory over darkness and life’s obstacles through fasting and meditation. This auspicious occasion marks the convergence of the divine powers of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. It is thought that on this day, the spiritual energies of the Universe are particularly potent. The observance of Maha Shivaratri involves fasting, meditation on Lord Shiva, introspection, promoting social harmony, and vigils at Shiva temples. Unlike most Hindu festivals enjoyed during daylight hours, Shivaratri is a unique festival observed during the night.
There are several legends associated with Maha Shivaratri, and its significance is elaborated upon in different Puranas, including the Linga Purana. These texts stress the value of observing Maha Shivaratri Vrat (fast) and paying homage to Lord Shiva and his symbolic representation, the Lingam. According to one legend, it was on this night that Lord Shiva did the ‘Tandava’ dance, a powerful and divine expression of creation and destruction.
Devotees chant Shiva hymns and recite texts, metaphorically participating in the cosmic dance performed by the almighty and celebrating his omnipresence. Another legend refers to the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which is said to have taken place on this day. This aspect makes the festival especially important for married couples and unmarried women seeking a good husband.
Maha Shivaratri Puja Rituals
The Maha Shivaratri Puja starts in the early hours of the morning, as devotees begin their day with a bath before sunrise, don new attire, and make their way to Shiva temples. This day holds exceptional importance for women, who partake in the traditional Maha Shivaratri Puja involving water, milk, Bel leaves, and fruits like Ber or jujube fruit, along with the use of incense sticks. They make circumambulations, either three or seven rounds, around the Shiva Lingam, followed by the ceremonial pouring of milk and offerings of leaves, fruits, and flowers, all while worshipping with incense sticks.
The Maha Shivaratri Puja incorporates six important elements, each symbolising a unique meaning:
Bathing of the Shiva Lingam with water and milk, along with the offering of Bel leaves, represents the purification of the soul.
The application of vermilion after the bath symbolises virtue.
The presentation of fruits during worship represents the fulfilment of wishes and longevity.
The burning of incense sticks is emblematic of wealth.
Betel leaves denote contentment gained from worldly desires.
The lighting of lamps symbolises the achievement of wisdom and knowledge.
One of the core aspects of this festival is the night-long vigil at Shiva temples, leading to the organisation of Jaagrans by devotees. Consequently, on the night of Maha Shivaratri, churches resonate with the chants of ‘Om Namah Shivay,’ while men and women sing devotional songs in honour of Lord Shiva.
Legend Behind Maha Shivaratri
Vrat Maha Shivaratri is steeped in legends, and among the most famous is the story of Goddess Parvati’s arduous penance to secure Lord Shiva as her husband. According to mythological accounts, due to her unwavering commitment, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were united in marriage on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Falgun. This is the underlying reason for the immense importance and auspiciousness given to Maha Shivaratri.
The Garuda Purana offers a different narrative that emphasises the importance of this day. According to this legend, a hunter once ventured into the forest with his faithful dog for a hunting trip but returned empty-handed. Exhausted and hungry, he rested by a pond, where he noticed a Shiva Lingam beneath a Bilva tree. Seeking relief, he plucked some leaves from the tree, and by chance, a few of them fell onto the Shiv Ling. To cleanse his feet, he sprinkled water from the pond, accidentally splashing some onto the Shiva Lingam.
While performing these actions, one of his arrows slipped from his grasp, causing him to bow before the Shiva Lingam. Unintentionally, he had completed the full process of Shiva Puja on the day of Shivaratri. After his death, when the messengers of Lord Yama came to claim his soul, celestial beings from Lord Shiva’s entourage arrived to protect him.
How is Maha Shivaratri Celebrated in India?
The auspicious occasion is celebrated in different ways in different cultures and areas. In the state of Tamil Nadu, the day is marked in the Annamalai temple. Devotees of Lord Shiva partake in a 14-kilometre barefoot walk Girivalam or Giri Pradakshina around Shiva’s temple found on the top of the hill.
The town of Mandi hosts the Mandi fair where followers from all over India pour in. It is thought that around 200 Hindu Gods and Goddesses assemble at Mandi on this day.
In West Bengal, unmarried women journey to Tarakeswar, a holy place, to offer prayers that’s dedicated to seeking an ideal husband.
Women devotees bathe the Shivalinga with milk and offer prayers for the well-being of their kids and husbands. As per the Hindu legend, Parvati, the wife of Shiva, offered prayers on this day to ward off any evil that may harm her husband. Since then, Maha Shivaratri is viewed as an auspicious day for women.
Early in the morning, devotees take bathe in the Ganges or any other equivalent waterbody that’s deemed holy. A purification ritual like worshipping the sun, Shiva, and Vishnu is followed. After taking a bathe, followers wear clean clothes and carry pots of water to the temple to pour water on the Shivalinga.
Devotees cover the linga with garlands and flowers. Fruits and smoke sticks are also offered. All these gestures to Shiva is done to protect the world from all that’s evil and for the well-being of humans.
Symbols of Shivaratri Festival
As per the Shiva Purana, the Maha Shivaratri worship should combine the following six items:
Bael leaves – Bael leaves represent the purification of the soul.
Food items: Rice and fruits are offered to Lord Shiva to entrust a long life and accomplishment of wishes.
Dhoop: Incense sticks are sparked before the God to gain wealth.
Betel leaves: Betel leaves indicate satisfaction.
These five things are an indispensable part of the festival.
Maha Shivaratri Holiday 2025-2028
26 February 2025 Wednesday Maha Shivaratri
15 February 2026 Sunday Maha Shivaratri
06 March 2027 Saturday Maha Shivaratri
23 February 2028 Wednesday Maha Shivaratri
Best Indian Places to Visit During the Maha Shivaratri Maha Shivaratri is celebrated throughout India, and as such, the festival is not confined to any specific place or region. However, there are several renowned Shiva temples and exceptional places known for their vibrant and devout observance of this auspicious event in India, where devotees can worship Lord Shiva in a highly energetic and devotional atmosphere. Below, we have listed a few such places in India where you can partake in the Maha Shivaratri celebrations and feel the divine presence.
Nilkanth Mahadev Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand:
This temple in Haridwar draws numerous devotees during Maha Shivaratri. People often visit the ghats at Har ki Pauri to offer prayers before going to the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
Umananda Temple, Guwahati, Assam: Situated on the peacock island in the Brahmaputra River, the Umananda Temple hosts one of the important Maha Shivaratri celebrations in India.
Bhavnath Taleti, Junagadh, Gujarat:
Junagadh’s Shivaratri Mela is a big attraction, drawing thousands of visitors. The fair, running for five days, offers a glimpse of Gujarat’s rich culture.
Matangeshwar Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh:
Maha Shivaratri is marked with grandeur here, with devotees taking a dip in the Sagar tank and attending the ten-day-long fair.
Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh:
This temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, marks Maha Shivaratri on the banks of the River Kshipra.
Srisaila Mallikarjuna Temple, Andhra Pradesh:
This temple is home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and celebrates Maha Shivaratri with great excitement.
Bhootnath Temple, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh:
Mandi hosts an incredible Maha Shivaratri celebration, attracting Indian and foreign tourists to its festivities.
Tilbhandeshwar Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh:
This temple in south Varanasi plays a major role in Maha Shivaratri celebrations, where people dance in processions after consuming bhang and thandai.
Lokanatha Temple, Puri, Odisha:
Lord Rama established the linga in this temple, making it a famous destination for Shiva devotees.
Shree Somanath Jyotirlinga Temple, Veraval, Gujarat: The Somanath Temple in Gujarat is beautifully adorned with LED lights and flowers during Maha Shivaratri, drawing a multitude of devotees.
Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu:
This center, created by Sadhguru, hosts special Maha Shivaratri celebrations with dance, music, meditation, and a night-long satsang. While these 11 places offer unique Maha Shivaratri experiences, Nashik (Maharashtra), Srikalahasti (Andhra Pradesh), and the Kashmir Valley also celebrate the holiday with fasting, prayers, and fairs, showcasing the devotion and excitement of Lord Shiva’s disciples.
FAQs on Maha Shivaratri Holiday in 2024
When is Maha Shivaratri 2024?
This year, Maha Shivaratri is on 08 March 2024.
Whom does Maha Shivaratri honour?
On Maha Shivaratri, people honor Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati.
Is Maha Shivaratri a national holiday?
Maha Shivaratri is an alternative holiday.
How is Mahashivratri celebrated?
Maha Shivaratri is marked by fasting and performing puja of Lord Shiva. Devotees visit Shiva temples and stay up all night singing bhajans and making abhishekam.
What are some classic foods eaten during Maha Shivaratri?
Some of the widely eaten traditional foods eaten during Maha Shivaratri are potato dishes, sabudana khichdi, kheer, and fruits.
