Festivals

Maha Shivaratri 2023: Date, How to Observe and Puja Timings

Maha Shivaratri is a significant Hindu festival honouring the god Shiva. It is also the night during which Lord Shiva performs his divine dance of creation, preservation, and destruction.

Maha Shivaratri 2023 is observed on the Krishna Paksha of the Phalguna month, resulting in varying dates each year. The next day after midnight, puja is celebrated with feasts, fairs, and other activities. On this day, many people also observe a fast. Members of the Lingayat sect in southern India present gifts to their gurus or spiritual guides.

HISTORY OF MAHA SHIVARATRI

Maha Shivaratri is a significant Hindu festival honouring the god Shiva. It is also the night during which Lord Shiva performs his divine dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. There are twelve Shivaratris per year, but Maha Shivaratri is the most auspicious. This night celebrates the confluence of Shiva and Shakti, the balancing male and feminine powers of the universe.

This is a sombre Hindu celebration commemorating the victory over darkness and ignorance in life. It is reserved for self-reflection and letting go of obstacles to success and development. On this day, one can work towards letting go of misdeeds, commencing on a path of virtue, and ultimately attaining moksha on the day of judgement.

The celebrations are held throughout India in accordance with regional customs. Many individuals rejoice early in the morning, while others perform puja throughout the night. Even devotees observe a 24-hour fast, breaking it only after a bath the next day. This fast is more of a determination test than a means to obtain blessings. In 1864, Alexander Cunningham reported a fair and dance event that took place on Maha Shivaratri at the Khajuraho Shiva temples, with Shaiva devotees camping miles away from the temple complex.

Nepal celebrates Maha Shivaratri outside of India, and it is a national holiday. The principal festivity occurs at the Pashupatinath temple. Even in Pakistan, Hindus attend Shiva temples, with Umerkot Shiv Mandir’s three-day festival being the most significant.

Maha Shivaratri is an incredibly holy day for Hindus over the world, and it is celebrated with great zeal.

Maha Shivratri 2023 puja timings

Here are the timings that devotees can follow for Mahashivratri 2023:

Nishita Kaal Puja Time – 12:09 AM to 01:00 AM, Feb 19

Duration – 00 Hours 51 Mins

On 19th Feb, Shivaratri Parana Time – 06:56 AM to 03:24 PM

Ratri First Prahar Puja Time – 06:13 PM to 09:24 PM

Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time – 09:24 PM to 12:35 AM, Feb 19

Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time – 12:35 AM to 03:46 AM, Feb 19

Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time – 03:46 AM to 06:56 AM, Feb 19

Chaturdashi Tithi Begins – 08:02 PM on Feb 18, 2023

Chaturdashi Tithi Ends – 04:18 PM on Feb 19, 2023

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How to Observe Maha Shivaratri

Observe a fast

Several devotees fast on Maha Shivaratri. On this day, only fruits, milk, and recipes containing fast-compliant components are permitted. It is recommended to abstain from meat, alcohol, and tobacco consumption.

Visit a Shiva temple

Attend the midnight puja at a neighbouring Shiva temple and soak up all the great vibratory energy. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Invoke Lord Shiva in prayer and swear to work on yourself and follow the path of virtue.

Take time for introspection

Maha Shivaratri is a sombre event; in addition to doing puja and rituals, you can also take time for introspection. Consider how your activities impact you and those around you. If necessary, take corrective measures.

5 IMPORTANT FACTS CONCERNING LORD SHIVA

Shiva is one of the three highest Hindu gods that comprise the Trimurti: Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer.
Parvati, the Hindu goddess of marriage, love, fertility, beauty, devotion, children, divine might, and power, is Lord Shiva’s wife.
Lord Shiva is known to have a third eye, which he frequently closes when he is introspecting.
As the ultimate god, Lord Shiva wears a cobra necklace, which symbolises his might and power.
Shaivism refers to the veneration of Lord Shiva.