Maha Shivratri or Mahashivratri, an annual Hindu festival, will be celebrated on March 4, 2019, and will be extended till March 5, 2019. Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, where Lord Shiva is believed to have stayed, witnesses the biggest celebration on Maha Shivratri. Thousands visit Mahakal temple on Mahasivratri to worship Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. The temple hosts live streaming of Maha Shivaratri Aarti and Darshan. Scroll down to watch an online live telecast of Ujjain Mahahkal Darshan and Mahashivratri Aarti.

The official website of Mahakal temple will run Mahashivratri Aarti video live online. Mahakal Darshan is considered to be the holiest out of the 12 Lord Mahadeva Jyotirlinga shrines which are again believed to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. The live Darshan is telecast from 4 am to 11 pm. Devotees of Lord Shiva can visit the official website of Mahakal temple and watch live streaming of Maha Shivratri Aarti and have the glimpse of Nagachandresvara. Mahashivratri 2019 FAQs: Date, Significance, History, Muhurat, Puja Timings, All Questions Answered About Maha Shivratri.

The lingam of Mahakalesvara is a colossus. On one side of the linga, there is the idol of Lord Ganesha and on the other side is the idol of Parvati and Kartikeya. The silver plated Naga Jaladhari and the inscribed and esoteric silver-plate covering the roof of the garbhagrha add extra grandeur to the shrine, according to the website. Mahakal temple was built during the 4th – 5th decades of the Eighteenth century.

According to believers, Lord Shiva appeared in his Mahakala form and upon the request of his devotees, agreed to reside in Ujjain. He further became the chief deity of the Kingdom to take care of it and protect all his followers against the evils. Mahashivratri 2019: Easy Bhang Recipes You Can Make This Maha Shivratri to Relish the ‘Nectar of the Gods’.

Muhurta and Puja timings for Maha Shivratri:

According to drikpnchang.com, the Nishita Kaal Puja time is 12:14 am to 1:03 am. The duration will be 49 minutes. Maha Shivaratri Parana time will be 6:49 am to 3:33 pm. Below are timings for other Pujas.

Ratri First Prahar Puja Time = 6:28 pm to 9:33 pm

Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time = 9:33 pm to 12:38 am

Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time = 12:38 am to 3:44 am

Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time = 3:44 am to 6:49 am.

According to religious scholars, Maha Shivaratri was the day when Shiva drank poisonous negativity to protect the world. Therefore, it is observed to mark a remembrance of 'overcoming darkness and ignorance' in life and the world.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 04, 2019 12:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).