Maha Shivratri 2024 Season: Learn the date, mythological origins, rituals, and more Mahashivratri 2024 Date and Time Mahashivratri is an auspicious and important Hindu festival which translates as ‘Maharatri of Shiva’. Here’s everything you need to know.

Mahashivratri 2024 History Mahashivratri is an important annual Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the major deities of Hinduism, known as the Destroyer and Transformer of the Trinity Mahashivratri, which translates as ‘Shiva’s Maharatri’, is an auspicious festival considered to seek Shiva’s blessings and remove karma, and it is believed that Lord Shiva’s energy is most accessible on this night.

Here, in fasting, praying and meditating throughout the day and night, devotees worship Lord Shiva and meditate on his virtues like loyalty, harmlessness to others, charity, forgiveness and meditations of Lord Shiva. Widely celebrated by Hindus in India, Nepal and around the world, here is everything you need to know about Mahashivratri, from date to history, rituals, significance and more.

According to the Hindu calendar, Mahashivratri is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalgun according to the Drik calendar. It happens once a year, usually in February or March, to highlight themes of renewal and rebirth as a transition from winter to spring and summer Mahashivratri is celebrated on Wednesday, March 8, Here are the exact times for important rituals as follows.

Chaturdashi starts on 8 March 2024 at 09:57 pm Chaturdashi Tithiends on 9 March 2024 at 06:17 pm Nishita Kal Pujas on March 9, 2024 from 2:07 am to 12:56 pm Shivratri Parana from 06:37 am to 03:29 am Maha Shivratri 2024: A Mythological Story Mahashivratri has rich cultural and mythological roots in its mythological history, and signifies important aspects of Lord Shiva. Some of the major events associated with Mahashivratri are: Marriage of Shiva and Parvati – A famous story is that Mahashivratri is the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. This union is celebrated as a symbol of the unity of mind and spirit, as well as of the masculine and feminine energies united in the cosmos.

Samudramanthan (Creation of the Ocean of Milk): According to this legend, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean as gods and demons churned the ocean to obtain nectar (the nectar of immortality). This poison was so strong that it could destroy the entire world. Shiva drank poison to protect the world, and his throat, Parvati, turned blue because of the poison. That is why Shiva is also called Nilakantha (Blue-throated). Mahashivratri celebrates this act of saving the world. Shiva’s cosmic dance: Mahashivratri is also believed to be when Lord Shiva performs the divine dance of creation, preservation and destruction. This dance is called Tandavam and is believed to be the cause of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution in the universe.

Shivling: Another important aspect of Mahashivratri involves the worship of Shivling which represents the disembodied aspect of Shiv. Legend has it that Shiva first appeared in the form of a Linga on this day. Devotees fast, perform rituals, offer milk, water, grape leaves and fruits to Shivalinga and seek blessings for prosperity and moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).

Maha Shivratri 2024: Highlights and Rituals Mentioned in ancient scriptures like Skanda Purana, Linga Purana and Padma Purana, Mahashivaratri has a deeper meaning than many have realized. The act of fasting from sunrise to sunset on this day is more than a ritual; it is a progressive step to remove ignorance and discover his true self, attracting blessings and prosperity, an opportunity to reflect on removing past mistakes and starting anew, reconnecting with the divine, and taking a path of spiritual growth .

People chant “ Om Namah Shivaya ” throughout the night while making immolations to Lord Shiva, which include bilva tree leaves, dhatura, milk, fruits and sweets, creating an atmosphere of devotion, church and godly presence there filled with ba As some also see it as the sacred union of Lord Shiva and Parvati, it impeccably represents the balance of power and energy. Others recall the story of Shiva saving the world from darkness by means of deadly bane during the churning of the cosmic ocean, revealing how this spiritual trip can lead to emancipation from the endless cycle of birth and death revealed.

Traditionally, Lord Shiva performs his Tandava Brahmanda Dance on Maha Shivratri, which is believed to symbolize the natural cycle of creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe On this auspicious day, prayers for Lord Shiva as purifying sins and guiding individuals to the right path. All over India, Mahashivratri is celebrated in different ways and traditions. In northern states, devotees observe fasts and visit Shiva temples, while in southern states like Tamil Nadu, grand festivals are celebrated at temples like Annamalayar. In the western Indian state of Maharashtra, people pray and perform thandai. In West Bengal and Odisha, unmarried girls fast in search of a suitable husband and a happy married life.