Maha Shivratri is a day looked forward to by all Shiv believers to celebrate and perform Maha Shiv puja. It’s a day observed every year by devotees to honour Shiva and remember the victory over darkness and ignorance. This year Maha Shivaratri’s date falls on 11th March. It’s also said that on the night of this occasion, Shiva performs a heavenly dance. Maha Shivratri is observed by fasting, chanting mantras, and meditation. It is also believed that one can ask for their wish and it will be granted by His grace.
Maha Shivratri 2021 Date & Time
Here are the details for Maha Shivaratri time and date:
- Maha Shivratri Date and Time: 11th March 2021, Thursday
- Chaturdashi tithi begins: 14:39 PM 11th March
- Chaturdashi tithi ends: 15:02 PM 12th March
Maha Shivratri Pooja Time
Pooja timings: 00:06 to 00:55, Mar 12 (Duration: 00 hours 48 mins)
- First prahar pooja time: 18:27 to 21:29, 11 March
- Second prahar pooja time: 21:29 to 00:31, 12 March
- Third prahar pooja time: 00:31 to 03:32, 12 March
- Fourth prahar pooja time: 03:32 to 06:34, 12 March
History of Maha Shivratri
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Maha Shivratri is celebrated for many significant reasons. One of the reasons Maha Shivratri is celebrated, as mentioned in folklore, is that during Samudra Manthan to save the world, Lord Shiva drank the poison that came from Samudra Manthan, and hence he is also called Neelkanth. Another story narrates that Maha Shivratri is the day when Shiva and Parvati got married and therefore, many unmarried women observe fast on this day to get a husband like Lord Shiva. One more belief says that Goddess Parvati once pleaded with Lord Shiva to save the world from destruction. He agreed to do so with a condition that every year the inhabitants of the earth should observe one day and worship him and that’s how Shivratri came into existence.
Also read: Mahashivratri quotes and messages
Why is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?
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In this chaotic life, one forgets to pause and pay attention to the divine source of energy where we are all connected to ‘The One’. We forget to connect the basic life values and purpose of existence. Lord Shiva represents a whole cycle of existence with creation, perseverance, and destruction. Maha Shivratri is celebrated because of its spiritual significance. Shivratri is considered the 14th night of the lunar calendar, the day before the new moon. It’s the Shivratri that falls between February and March is considered a significant one since the northern hemisphere of the planet is placed in such a way that there is a natural increase of energy in a human being. This is a day when mother nature is moving one towards one’s spiritual zenith. So, the devotees need to cleanse their energy and aura by worshipping Lord Shiva and by observing a fast.
Significance of Maha Shivratri
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The significance of Maha Shivaratri is very important for the people who are on a spiritual path and devotees of Lord Shiva. It’s observed as a night of stillness as it believed that Shivratri is a day when Lord Shiva became one with Mount Kailash. He remained still with no movements therefore the significance is connected with “Ratri” i.e. Maha Shivratri. It’s the darkest night of the month, and it carries the meaning of being unbounded by life’s happening and submerging into the unknown vastness, which is nothing but Shiva- the beginning and the ending.
How is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?
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Wondering how to celebrate Shivratri? We have the answer for you! Shivratri celebration is simple but needs to be done dedicatedly. Shivratri celebration is not merely just following rituals or worshipping Lord Shiva, it’s more than that. You need to know Maha Shivratri’s time and date, why Maha Shivratri is celebrated, and the significance of Maha Shivratri.
You can pay your honour to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri by:
- Offering your prayer at the temple.
- Observing fast.
- Chanting “Om Namah Shivaay”
- Attending Maha Shivratri puja arranged in a nearby community.
- Meditating on Shiva Mantras.
Every festival in India is celebrated with excitement, thrill, and devotion, but when it’s about Maha shivratri 2021 celebration, there’s this whole different vibe among people and from young to old everyone partakes in it.
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