Mahashivratri is celebrated annually in a grand manner around the globe by the devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival literally translates to the ‘great night of Shiva’ which is renowned on the new moon day in the month of 'Phaguna' according to the Hindu calendar. The festival signifies the defeat of darkness and ignorance. This year, Mahashivratri will be celebrated on February 13 and will extend until February 14, 2018. To mark the day, devotees engage themselves in chanting Lord Shiva’s prayers, observing fast as well as meditating.

Mahashivratri Puja Mahurat - Date and Time:

This year Mahashivratri will be celebrated on February 13 and will extend until February 14, 2018. The best time to do Puja on Mahashivratri is known as Nishikant Kaal Puja. This is at the time when Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared on earth in the form of a Shiva Linga. This time, the Nishikant Kaal Puja falls between 12:09 am to 01:01 am. The duration is spread over 51 minutes only.

In the morning, the auspicious timing for Shiv Puja is between 07:30 am to 03:20 pm. The puja can be performed about four times during the night. Devotees observing fast can break it once the puja is over.

Shivratri First Prahar Puja Time: 06:05 pm to 09:20 pm

Shivratri Second Prahar Puja Time: 09:20 pm to 12:35 am

Shivratri Third Prahar Puja Time: 12:35 am to 03:49 am

Shivratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time: 03:49 am to 07:04 am

Mahashivratri Puja Vidhi:

Clean the altar; decorate the puja premise; place a Shivling, and prepare for the puja. Followers gather the puja material, make special dishes, beautiful flowers and bilva leaves and start the puja after lighting an earthen lamp; they then ring the bell and burn incense sticks. On the main day, devotees visit nearby Shiva temple after bathing and witness the idol to seek blessings. The visit gets over by the afternoon as most of the temples are shut, to clean for the evening darshan. Various ingredients like milk, rose water, sandalwood paste, yoghurt, honey, ghee and water are used to offer puja and give a sacred bath to Shiv Linga. Some devotees observe fast for the entire day and only eats fruits and juices; whereas rest generally have one meal before the puja is to begin in the midnight.

Mahashivratri is considered to be an extremely significant festival, especially for women. Married and unmarried women observe fast with sincerity to appease Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to bestow marital bliss, long and prosperous married life. It is also believed that unmarried women also pray for a life partner like Lord Shiva; who is said to be an ideal husband. The festival is remarkably celebrated globally.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 12, 2018 12:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).