Mahashivratri 2024: Mahashivratri festival is considered to have special significance in Hindu religion. On this day, the marriage of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati took place.
On this day people worship Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. There are a total of 12 Shivratri’s in a year but among all, Shivratri of Phalgun Krishna Paksha is considered to be the most special.
Which is known as Mahashivratri 2024. This year Mahashivratri 2024 will be celebrated on March 8. Mahashivratri festival is considered to have special significance in Hindu religion.
Devotees observe fast on this day and remain immersed in the devotion of Shiva and perform bhajans and kirtan throughout the night. This Mahashivratri 2024, an auspicious coincidence of Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga is also taking place.Let us know what to do and what not to do in Mahashivratri 2024.
Table of Contents
Mahashivratri 2024: Puja Time
On the day of Mahashivratri 2024, the time of worship is from 06:25 pm to 09:28 pm. At this time worship Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati.
What To Do On Mahashivratri 2024
Lord Shiva is worshiped on the festival of Mahashivratri 2024, which falls on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. On this day, worship is done in temples and pagodas.
You can also keep a fast on this day to celebrate Mahashivratri 2024. You can have fruits in it. Offer milk and water to Shivling in the morning and evening. Offer his favorite offerings to Lord Shiva.
Also offer them Dhatura, Bhang, Bel leaves etc. Chant Shiva Mantra in the morning and evening. Read Shiv Chalisa and at the end sing the praises of Lord Shiva as his Aarti.
What not to do on Mahashivratri 2024
- Many people accept the prasad offered to Shivalinga. But you shouldn’t do this. It is believed that this brings you into the mouth of bad luck.
- Tulsi should never be offered to Shivalinga. Do not use Tulsi even in Panchamrit offered to Shiva.
- Do not offer champa and kettle flowers on Shivalinga. Instead, offer Shiva’s favorite fruits – flowers, Dhatura, Belpatra and Bhang.
- Anointing Shivalinga with turmeric is also considered prohibited. Instead, apply sandalwood tilak to Shiva.
- During Shivratri fast, one should not consume rice, pulses and wheat. You can drink fruits, milk and tea.
- Those observing fast on this day should use desi ghee instead of oil.
Mahashivratri 2024: Significance
It is believed that on this day Lord Shiva had given up the life of renunciation. Entered the life of the world. The marriage of Mahadev ji and Maa Parvati ji took place on this night.
According to Garuda Purana, on this day Nishadraj went hunting with his dog, but did not find any prey. Feeling worried, he reached the bank of a pond. Where there was Shivalinga under the Bilva tree.
To give his body, Nishadraj broke Bilva leaves which fell on Shivalinga. Sprinkled pond water to clean his feet. Whose drops fell on Shivalinga.
While doing this his arrow fell down. To pick it up, he bent in front of Shivling. In this way I worshiped Shiva unknowingly.
Mahashivratri 2024: fasting rules
Devotees celebrating the festival and performing puja should abstain from eating tamasic food as per the rules of the day before. While offering Belpatra to Lord Shiva, make sure that the three leaves of Belpatra are not cut or torn anywhere.
Also, while offering Belpatra, its part should be touched with the script. Kadamba and Ketaki flowers should not be used in the worship of Lord Shiva.
Use of vermillion, turmeric and oil etc. is prohibited in the worship of Lord Shiva. At the same time, use of conch shell, coconut, basil leaves and black sesame etc. is prohibited in the worship of Bholenath ji.
Sesame seeds originate from the feces of Lord Vishnu. Flowers like Ketaki, Kevda, Kaner and Sitaphal etc. are also worshiped in the worship of Lord Shiva.
Mahashivratri 2024: Story
According to the story of Shiva Purana, there was a hunter in a village, who used to run his family by hunting animals. He was also a debtor to a moneylender from the village.
Despite many efforts, he was not able to free himself from debt. One day, in anger, the moneylender imprisoned him in Shivnath. That day was also Shivratri.
The hunter listened to the story of Shivratri that whole day. When he was presented before the moneylender in the evening, the hunter promised that the next day he would be free after repaying all the debts. Then the moneylender left him.
From there the hunter went into the forest and started searching for prey. He reached the bank of a pond. There he started making his home on a vine tree. There was a Shivalinga under that tree, which was covered with vine leaves. He was not aware of this.
He broke the branches of the vine tree and threw them down and the leaves kept falling on the Shivalinga. He was distraught with hunger and thirst. Unknowingly he worshiped Lord Shiva. He remained hungry till noon.
At night a pregnant deer came to the pond to drink water. Then the hunter prepared his bow and arrow to kill him. The deer told her, I am about to give birth to a child,
you should not kill two at once. I will come to you after giving birth to a child, then you can hunt me. Hearing this the hunter let him go.
After some time, another deer came and the hunter got ready to hunt it. Then the deer said, I have just been freed from menstruation,
And I am looking for my husband because he is under the influence of lust. After meeting my husband soon, I will be present for hunting. The hunter left him also.
Late at night a deer came near that pond with her children. The hunter was happy to see many hunts at once. He got ready to hunt, then the deer said, I am searching for their father with my children, as soon as I find them I will come for hunting. This time the hunter did not want to leave them.
But when the deer told the hunter about his children, he let him go.Now the hunter was sitting on the vine tree, plucking the leaves and throwing them down. Now morning was about to come. Just then a deer came there.
The hunter was ready to kill him, but the deer said, you have killed the first three deer and their children, then kill me too because I will not bear their separation. If you have donated your life to them, then leave me too, I will meet my family and be present before you.
Due to the influence of fasting all night, night vigil and unknowingly worshiping Shivalinga with Belpatra, the hunter had become kind. He also let the deer go.
A feeling of devotion appeared in his mind and he started repenting thinking about his old deeds. Then he saw that the entire deer family had come to him for hunting. Seeing this he became more compassionate and started crying.
That hunter sacrificed his life for the deer family and himself gave up violence and started walking on the path of kindness. By the grace of Lord Shiva, the hunter and the deer family attained salvation.
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Disclaimer: The information given here is based on general beliefs and information. mintbord.com does not confirm this. You should contact a knowledgeable person or Pandit regarding fasting.
