Most devotees observe fast on Maha Shivaratri. (24th feb sunrise - 25th feb sunrise)

Shivaratri Special 🍃🌷🌿🌷🍃

Most devotees observe fast on Maha Shivaratri. (24th feb sunrise - 25th feb sunrise) The way fasting is observed has been changed with the time. The way Puja procedure has been suggested in religious texts is hardly followed during Shivaratri these days. But devotees observe day and night long fast. Abhishekam of shivalingam is performed with holy water, milk or panchamrit. Offering belpatra and white flowers along with Bhaang , Dharura is essential in Lingam worship. Night long chanting of Om Namah Shivaya is observed by devotees. Many people distribute special Shivaratri dishes, ie Bhaang and Thandai.

Maha Shivaratri Muhurat ~ Chatirdashi tithi begins 9:38 pm on 24th February. And Chaturdashi tithi ends 9:20 pm on 25th February

Devotees should abstain from all type of food during the fasting. In the strict form of fasting no grains and even water is not allowed. However, consumption of fruits, juice and milk is suggested during day time in partial fasting, which should be followed by strict fasting during night. In other words during day time fruits and milk can be consumed. Usually people don't mind to have single fasting meal made of kuttu aata or saabu Dana khichdi in the evening. On the next day of Maha Shivaratri, fast comes to an end after performing Shiva pooja, singing aarti and distributing sweets.

Devotees should perform Shiva Puja or visit temple in the evening. If one is not able to visit the temple then worship Shiva/Shvalingam at home. One can even shape the mud in Linga form and apply Ghee to perform Abhishek Puja at home.

Shiva Puja should be done during night. Shivaratri Puja can be performed one time or four times during the night. The whole night duration can be divided into four to get four Prahar to perform Shiva Puja four times.
Devotees who want to perform single Puja should do it during midnight. As per Puja Vidhi, Abhishek of Shiva Lingam should be performed with different materials. The milk, rose water, sandalwood paste, yogurt, honey, Ghee, sugar and the water are commonly used for Abhishek.

Devotees, who perform four Prahar Puja, must perform water Abhishek during first Prahar (6.40pm-10 pm) .
Curd Abhishek during second Prahar ( 10pm-1am).
Ghee Abhishek during third Prahar (1am-4am).
Honey Abhishek during fourth Prahar (4am-7am).

After the Abhishek ritual, Shiva Linga is adorned with the garland made of Bilva leaves. It is believed that Bilva leaves cool down Lord Shiva.

After that Chandan or Kumkum is applied to the Shiva Linga which is followed by lighting deepak and Dhupa. The other items which are used to adorn Lord Shiva include flower of Madar (मदार) which is also known as Aak (आक), Vibhuti is applied which is sacred ash favourite of Shiva.

The mantra to chant during Puja duration is ॐ नमः शिवाय, Om Namah Shivaya.

Devotees should break the fast next day after taking bath. Devotees should break the fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to get maximum benefit of the Vrat.! ✨🌿🌷🍃🌸🍃🌷🌿✨

Om Namah Shivaya ~ Shubh Ratri! 🙏🏻✨❤️🙏🏻