Mahashivratri 2025: Date, Time, Puja Rituals and Significance

Mahashivratri is one of the most prominent Hindu festival, which is celebrated all over India to honour of Lord Shiva, one of the main Hindu Trinity Gods. Mahashivratri means the "Great Night of Shiva," the sacred festival is celebrated every year with great grandeur on Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha during the Hindu month of Phalguna (February–March) on the fourteenth night of the waning moon. This year, the holy festival of Mahasivratri is being celebrated today, on February 26, 2025.

Maha Shivratri 2025: Date and Time

Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - February 26, 2025 - 11:08 AM
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends - February 27, 2025 - 08:54 AM

Nishita Kaal Puja Time - February 27, 2025 - 12:08 AM to 12:58 AM
Shivaratri Parana Time - February 27, 2025 - 06:47 AM to 08:54 AM

Ratri First Prahar Puja Time - February 26, 2025 - 06:18 PM to 09:25 PM
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time - February 27, 2025 - 09:25 PM to 12:33 AM
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time - February 27, 2025 - 12:33 AM to 03:40 AM
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time - February 27, 2025 - 03:40 AM to 06:47 AM

Maha Shivratri 2025: Significance

Mahashivratri, the major festival in Hindu religion that honours Lord Shiva and the represents the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, signifying the harmony of the universe's masculine and feminine forces. According to spirituality, this festival symbolizes the triumph of light and knowledge over ignorance, inspiring followers to pursue enlightenment and inner serenity. It is believed that Tandava, the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction, is believed to have been performed by Lord Shiva on this particular night. It is also believed that on this very day, a lethal poison (Halahala) appeared during the cosmic churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). Lord Shiva became known as Neelkanth after consuming it to save the world while holding it in his blue-tinged neck.

Mahashivratri 2025: Celebration

Mahashivrati is one of the most revered festivals across the country, but it is mainly celebrated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. Varanasi, Kedarnath, and Kashi Vishwanath Temple host significant festivals and fairs.

Maha Shivratri 2025: Puja Rituals

Fasting

To show the gratitude and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, devotees show their devotion by showing their self-control and observe a strict fast, and some devotees observe Nirjala Vrat.

Chanting

Mantra chanting is one of the most easiest way to seek blessings of Lord Shiva on this particular day so devotees spend their most of the time chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" and "Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra", and they sing other hymns and prayers and remain up throughout the night during the Jagaran Night Vigil.

Abhishekam

Abhishekam is another important way to please Lord Shiva and in that process devotees offer prayers by offering Panchamrit to Shiva Lingam and give bath with 5 sacred itmes i.e., water, milk, honey, sugar powder and ghee and they also offer other offerings, such as sacred bilva leaves, dhatura, and bhang.

Meditation and Prayers

This is the sacred night dedicated to Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati so people get an opportunity to utilise this time to connect with Shiva's divine energy, many people meditate and offer special prayers to the Lord by performing various spiritual and religious activities.

Mantra

• Om Namah Shivaye..!!
• Om Tryamabhakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam Urvarukmiv Bandhan Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritaat..!!