Maha Shivaratri 2024-2030
Samvat 2080-2086

Auspicious, Blissful, Kalyankaari Shiva

What is Maha-Shivaratri?
“A Hindu festival in the honour of Shiva”.

When MahaShivratri occurs?
When Maha Shivaratri is celebrated?
It is celebrated annually.
In Maagh (Magha) param Falgun Krishna Paksh.
In the month of February or March every year in dark-half.

When is Shivaratri – Maha Shivaratri Puja and Festival celebration in 2024, 2025,
2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 in Bharat, Hong Kong and in other countries?
In 2024, Friday 08 March is Maha-Shivaratri Maha-Utsava (festival),
Mahashivratri festival celebrations.
In 2025, Shivratri – Mahashivratri Mahotsav is on Wednesday 26 February.
In 2026, Shivratri – Mahashivratri Mahotsav is on Sunday 15 February 2026.
In 2027, Shivratri – Mahashivratri Mahotsav is on Saturday 6 March.
In 2028, Shivratri – Mahashivratri Mahotsav is on Wed 23 February 2028.
In 2029, Shivratri – Mahashivratri Mahotsav is on Sun 11 February 2029.
In 2030, Shivratri – Mahashivratri Mahotsav is on Saturday 02 March 2030.

Ishwar pooja specially is performed on Shivaratri to mark it as Maha Shivaratri. It is being celebrated every year on the Hindu Lunar Calendar “Fālgun Māsa” Krishna Paksha’s Chaturdashi 14^th tithi –  digit of the moon of the (dark fortnight – dark half of the month) during February or March. Mahā Shivarātri is once in a year.

Vedic prayers are devoted to Shiva Paramatma. Siva Lingam Abhisek Puja :-

‘Hindus perform prayer ceremonies on the Shivratri. It is Maha-Parva, MaharatriUtsav, Tyowhar (Hindu festival celebration).

“Ardhanaarishwar Swaroopa” is a dual of Śiva and Pârvatî swaroopa. Hence, Shiv Pāravati Poojā in particular is performed. Their son Ganesā (Ganapathy) pooja takes place first, followed with Kārttikeya; vāhan-vehicle Nandi (a bull), Sarp and Kubera prayers are conducted.

The prayers, pujas are conducted by devotees themselves or through the Hindu Priest. Devotee invites Brāhmin, Guru, Pandit, Pujari, Purohit, (“Vipra – worshipper of Shivā”) to worship Lord Shiva at their Homes or at the Hindu Mandirs or Hindu Temples. Praise prayer stotras, poojā, archanā, aarti is offered to Lord Shivā. A popular fast and festival is observed by Hindus. Every year, throughout the night of 14^th Tithi Chaturdashi “Siva Pooja Paddhati”, “Rudra-Abhisek”, “Rudra- Ashtadhyaayi Paath” Mantra recitation takes place. Devotional vibrations, meditation of Mahadev is a blessing on Maha Shivaratri.

References :

(Yajur Veda, Shiva Purāna, Ādi Shankarāchārya Stotram,
Pushpadanta Mahimna Stotram and different Kathās – stories)

The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1890), V. S. Apte

1. Ratri : V S Apte-ji Sanskrit English Dictionary reads, “रात्रि: f. dark half of Mâgha on which a rigorous fast is observed in honour of Śiva”
2. Lingam : 1.“Siva, worshipped in the form of a phallus.
3. “a temple dedicated to the worship of the Linga”.
4. Sundari : “an epithet of Durgâ”.
5. Śivâ : “1 Noun of Pârvatî”.
6. Pūjana : Worship or adoration of Śiva.
7. Shiva Raat : Sindhi Dictionery compiler Late Shri Parmanand Mewaram reads, “A Hindu festival in honour of Shiva”.
8. Shivālo : (A Shivā’s temple).

Vedās : Rudra Ashtādhyaayi Krishna Yajur Veda and Shukla Yajur Veda Paath. Namak and Chamak pooja, prarthana prayers of Śiva Parvati are worshipped.

Stotram : Sanskrit verses of Dwādasha Jyotirlinga (12 twelve Jyotirlingam) Stotram by Ādi Shankarāchārya is given below:

Saurāshtre Somanāthamcha Srisaile Mallikārjunam,
Ujjayinyaam Mahākālam Omkāramamaleswaram;
Paralyām Vaidyanāthamcha Dākinyām Bheema Shankaram,
Setu Bandhetu Ramesam, Naagesam Daarukāvane.
Vārānasyāmtu Vishwesam Tryambakam Gautamitate,
Himālayetu Kedaaram, Ghusmesham cha Shivaalaye;
Etaani Jyotirlingāni, Saayam Praataha Pathennarah,
Sapta Janma Kritam Paapam, Smaranena Vinashyati. 

 Introduction: “Shiva Mahimna Stotra” hymn sang by Pushhpadanta – Gandharva (Singer in the court of Indra, the Lord of the Heaven) and the King named Chitraratha. The 14^th verse of Shiva Mahimna Stotra is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The said stuti is sang in the praise of Lord Shiva who protected all from poison.

Purānās : Among 18 eighteen purānās one of the “Shiva Purānam” is devoted to the praise of Śiva consisting of the 12 Samhitās viz. Vighnesa, Rudra, Vināyakā, Bhauma, Mātrikā, Rudraikadasa, Kailāsa, Sata Rudra, Koti Rudra, Sahasra Koti Rudra, Vāyavikā and Samhitā.

Stories
Hindu Kathās related to Mahashivratri :

1. Churning of Ocean:
   Lord Shiva accepted request and protected all from the deadly poison appeared from churning of Ocean. Holding that poison in his neck, He became “Neelkanth”.
   Sanskrit word, “kaalkut”, “Vish”, “Halāhal” appeared from ocean.

2. Wedding of Paravati Shiv : Shiv Vivah
3. Hunter : Shikari, Katha

महाशिवरात्रि उत्सव २०२४-२०३०

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Shiv Ji Ki Aarti – शिवजी की आरती

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Shiv Aarti

Monthly Shivaratri Dates 2020-2023
& Yearly Maha-Shivaratri

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Sawan Somvar 2020-21
Sawan Somvar Vrat – Yearly Savan Somvar Fast

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Savan Masa Shiva Puja 2020-21
श्रावण मास शिवरुद्राभिषेक

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