How to Observe Fast during Mahashivratri?

*How to Observe Fast during Mahashivratri? *

One of the most auspicious fast. It is considered to be equal or more then performing an Ashwamedha Yagna.
The fasting involves refraining from eating any food and not sleeping through out the night. Shivratri literally means ‘the night of Lord Shiva’ .
The Mahashivratri fasting begins on the morning of trayodashi and ends next day morning . People observe the fast of Shivaratri according to their faith and capability. Some do fasting without having food and water on the day and night of Shivaratri. Whereas, some people observe fast for the full day and have fruits at night. And, some have sweet food at night. Similar to the fasting manner, the food eaten on this day also varies from person to person.
Since it is a long fast , many people consume a special meal known as ‘phalar.’Some people observing fast consume a mid-day meal consisting of non-cereal food such as boiled potatoes which is made into a curry without onion, garlic, adarak or haldi. Another food eaten on the day is pakori or Kutt Singahri ki puri.Most devotees go for a fruit diet and drink lots of water. No meal is eaten after sunset. Next meal is taken on next day morning .
Applying of sacred ash, or vibhuthi, is an important aspect on the day. People also wear a Rudraksha Mala . Entire night is spend in a nearby Shiva temple or by chanting Mantras or listening to stories related to Shiva.Some of the important mantras that are chanted on the day include: Shiva Panchakshari Mantra – Om Namah Shivaya or chanting the sacred names of Lord Shiva.
People who have a Shivling at home can bathe the Shivling with water intermittently throughout the night.
All the rituals on the night of Shivratri are meant to cleanse the ignorance and realize the Brahmn manifest in you. The fasting, rituals and chanting are meant to kill desire, greed, illusion, arrogance, jealousy, and anger. This will make you a better person and prepare you to face the challenges.
The day after Shivratri is Amavasi – the dark night or the no moon night. It symbolizes the evil forces – desire, greed, illusion, arrogance, jealousy, and anger – which dominate the Kaliyuga. Shiva is believed to have appeared in the form of ‘Lingodabhavamurti’ or Jyotir Linga on the Shivratri night. The Linga is an attempt to give form to the formless Brahmn. Praying to Shiva is to escape from miseries of Kaliyuga.