Mahashivratri 2024 Fasting Rules and How to observe Maha Shivratri fast?

Mahashivratri Fasting Rules: Mahashivratri festival is around the corner and people are preparing to celebrate the one of the most auspicious festivals of Hindus, which is dedicated to worship Lord Shiva. People must be thinking of observing fast, offering prayers to Lord Shiva and seek blessings of the Lord. The festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated across the country with great grandeur and enthusiasm. This year, Maha Shivratri is going to be celebrated on March 8, 2024.

Here, in this article we are going to talk about the fasting rules those who have plans to observe fast on the day of Mahashivratri.

Mahashivratri Date and Time

Mahashivratri festival is going to be celebrated on Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna i.e., on March 8, 2024. Chaturdashi Tithi will start from March 8, 09:57 PM and it will end on March 9, 06:17 PM in the evening.

Mahashivratri 2024: How to observe fast

There are three types of fast and here we are going to tell you how you can observe fast and seek blessings of Lord Shiva :-

1. Nirjala Vrat

If you are thinking to observe Nirjala Fast then you should keep in mind that you can not take food or water during the fasting period. The time of fasting will start from March 8 (12:00 AM) and it will end on March 9, 2024 (Sunrise time)

2. Phalahara Vrat

In this type of fasting, devotees can consume tea, water, coffee, coconut water, Lassi, fruit juice and dry fruits (that should not be salty)

3. Samapta

In this type of fast, one can consume all that is mentioned in Phalahara fast along with 1 time meal which can consists of sweets for example rice kheer, makhana kheer, jaggery kheer, soojhi halwa or any other sweets.

How to break Mahashivratri Fast?

On March 9, 2024, One must take a holy bath and perform the puja by lighting a diya with desi ghee in front of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Offer prepared homemade sweets such as kheer, halwa, or any other sweets, fruits and bhog prasad that can be sabzi poori and raita. First offer it to the Lord and Goddess and then you can eat the bhog prasad. No non vegetarian food should be consumed on this day.

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Fasting Rules on Mahashivratri
1. People should wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath first before starting any puja rituals.
2. They should clean their house and specially puja room where Lord Shiva is placed.
3. No salt should be consumed on the day of Mahashivratri.
4. People should opt the sattvik lifestyle on the day of Mahashivratri and stay away from tamasik activities such as eating meat, onion, garlic, gambling, fighting or abusing.
5. Cutting hair and nails on the day of Mahashivratri is considered inauspicious.
6. Devotees should get involved in meditatio0n on the day of Mahashivratri festival.
7. Mantra chanting is must on this auspicioous day to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
8. Perform Jalabhishekam or Rudrabhishekam to please the Lord.
9. Reading holy books such as Shiv Chalisa is rewarding for fast observers.
10. Pregnant women, older people or people who are unwell or unable to observe fast, they are advised to consume only vegetarian food which is prepared with sendha namak or rock salt. Post sunset of Mahashivratri festival, people can consume phalahara.

Read more: Mahashivratri 2025: Date timings rituals prahar time fasting rules and all you need to know

Mahashivratri 2024: FAQs

1. When is Mahashivratri in 2024?Mahashivratri is going to be celebrated on Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month o Falguna i.e., March 8, 2024.
2. How to observe Mahashivratri fast?Three types of fast we have mentioned in the article, devotees can check as per their convenience and observe Mahashivratri fast. Lord Shiva is one of the most compassionate God who always look for the good intentions and purity so people are advised to observe fast as per their physical health.