When Is Maha Shivratri 2023? Know History, Significance, Rituals, and Celebrations of the Auspicious Festival Honouring Lord Shiva

Maha Shivratri is an annual festival celebrated by the Hindu community with great pomp and fanfare in parts of India in honour of Lord Shiva. As per the Hindu Calendar, the festival, also known as the great night of Shiva, is observed on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Falgun (Phalguna) month. The name ‘Maha Shivratri’ also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance called Tandava. Maha Shivaratri is an important festival in Hinduism, marking a remembrance of ‘overcoming darkness and ignorance’ in life and the world. In 2023, Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on February 18. The Chaturdashi Tithi will begin at 8.02 pm on February 18 and will end at 4:18 pm on February 19. February 2023 Holidays Calendar With Major Festivals & Events: From Valentine’s Day to Maha Shivratri, Check List of Important Dates Falling in the Second Month.

On the day of Maha Shivratri, Lord Shiva is believed to have married Goddess Parvati. Shiva is said to have entered into deep meditation after Sati died, after which she reincarnated as Parvati to become the consort of Lord Shiva. Hence, Mahashivratri marks the union of Shiva and Parvati on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna. On the day of Maha Shivaratri, devotees throng the major Jyotirlinga Shiva temples of India, such as those in Varanasi and Somanatha. Masik Shivratri 2023 Dates List: When Is Maha Shivratri? Know Significance, Festivities, and All About the Celebrations Dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivratri Rituals

Devotees remember Lord Shiva and chant prayers, while ardent devotees stay awake all night. Some also observe a fast and meditate and visit temples of Lord Shiva and seek blessings by offering milk, fruits, belpatri, and dhatura to the Shivling. Devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya" or Mahamrityunjaya Mantra and seek blessings of the Lord. On this day, people also offer white cloth, sweets, five fruits, and Panchamrit to Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati and worship them throughout the day and night. The festival is the most important of the 12 Shivratris celebrated yearly. Every month, Shivratri falls on the 14th day of the month, one day before the new moon.

The celebration includes maintaining a ‘jagaran’, an all-night vigil and prayers. In Shiva temples, "Om Namah Shivaya", the sacred Panchakshari mantra of Shiva, is chanted throughout the day while devotees praise Shiva through the recitation of Shiv Chalisa.

Maha Shivratri Significance

Every lunar month, there is a Shivaratri, which accounts for 12 Shivaratri per year. However, the main festival is called ‘Maha Shivaratri’, or great Shivaratri, which is held on the 13th night (waning moon) and the 14th day of the month Phalguna. In the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in either February or March. Different legends describe the significance of Maha Shivaratri. Maha Shivaratri is mentioned in several Puranas, particularly the Skanda Purana, Linga Purana and Padma Purana, which present different versions associated with this festival, and mention fasting and reverence for icons of Shiva, such as the Lingam.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 02, 2023 10:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).