Shivratri 2024: Date, Time, Mahurat, Customs, Importance, and Background
According to the South Indian Panchang, Maha Shivratri is observed during the 14 days of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha. The monthly Shivratri that occurs in the northern Indian month of Panchang during the month of Phalguna is called Maha Shivratri.
National Science Day Mahurat and Time of Shivratri in 2024
The 14-day Panchang, which is the Falgun month’s declining period, will begin on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 09:57 PM and end on March 9, 2024, at 06:17 PM. The precise time of dawn is irrelevant because the Shivratri puja is done at night.
Timing of Nishita Kaal: March 9, 2024, at 12:07 AM
Parana Vrat Time: 06:37 AM–03:28 PM on March 9, 2024
In 2024, there will be four MahaShivratri Prahar Pujas.
First Prahar Puja Time: 06:25 PM to 09:28 PM, from sunset to nightfall
Second, Prahar Puja Time: starting at night at 9:28 PM Morning: March 9, 12:31 AM
Thirdly, the morning Prahar Puja time Early in the morning: 12:31 until 03:34
Fourth Prahar Puja Time: Early in the morning, from 03:34 until 06:37 AM
What are the Shivratri rituals?
Maha Shivaratri is not a festive occasion; rather, it is a day of introspection, meditation, and self-control. The rituals and traditions of the event are meant to appease Lord Shiva, who is a devout and repentant individual.
The event includes a jagaran, or all-night fast and meditations, since Shaiva Hindus believe that this night is a way for Shiva to help people “conquer blackness and misunderstanding” in their lives and in humanity.
Donations of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and sweets are used to honour Shiva. Some practise fasting throughout the day in a tantric or Vedic ceremony, along with contemplative yoga. In Shiva temples, the holy Panchakshari word of Shiva, “Om Namah Shivaya,” is recited continuously throughout the day.
Reciting the Shiv Chalisa song is how believers honour Shiva. Some specific customs and rituals observed on Mahashivratri are as follows:
observing a full-day fast
chanting the mantra Panchakshara
Visiting a Hindu temple
Offering prayers to Lord Shiva
Putting self-control, repentance, and confession into action
Importance of the Nineth Month
The meaning of Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu event celebrated on the night of creation, preservation, and destruction, is explained by a variety of customs.
Every year, offerings are made to Shiva images in order to make up for previous wrongdoings and to travel to Mount Kailasa in order to attain freedom. It is believed to have been the evening that Parvati and Shiva were married during Shiva’s glorious dance of birth.
The festival has a rich past, and dancing traditions are quite significant. According to another legend, Shiva swallowed the halacha produced on this particular day while doing Samudra Manthana and held it in his collarbone, which is why it blistered and turned blue.
Shivratri’s past
At the wildly popular occasion of Maha Shivratri, devotees fast and honour Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadev. Around the country, as well as in other parts of Nepal and the West Indies, there are a number of widely held misconceptions regarding Lord Shiva.
The translation of Maha Shivratri is “the grand night of Shiva.” Legend has it that on the eve of Shiv Ratri, Lord Shiva, the Trimurti destructive, performs his celestial dance, or “tandav.” According to a legend, Shiv Ratri honours the day that Lord Shiva and the Hindu goddess Parvati were married.
On this day, many people perform the marriage ceremony of the Hindu goddess Parvati and the god Shiva. Stated differently, the union of Shiva and Shakti is said to have occurred on the night of Shivratri, signifying the balance between the forces of the masculine and feminine.