Maha Shivratri 2024 is a sacred festival for Hindus. This year it will be celebrated on on March 8, 2024. To understand this sacred festival, it is essential to understand the distinction between Shivratri 2024 and Maha Shivratri 2024. While Shivratri occurs monthly on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight (Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of every month), Maha Shivratri holds special significance as it falls during the month of Phalgun. Some people wonder why Shivratri is celebrated twice in a year? Since the month of Sawan is dedicated to Lord Bholenath, hence people also find Sawan Shivratri, which falls on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of the Shravan month to be sacred and on this day all the devotees conduct Shiv puja and bring water of Kanwad to Bholenath. Since Sawan Shivratri and Maha Shivratri are both celebrated, it leads some people to wonder why Shivratri is celebrated twice in a year. Maha Shivratri 2024, celebrated in the Phalgun month, is special for a different reason than Sawan Shivratri.
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Legend has it that Maha Shivratri marks the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, signifying the auspicious beginning of creation. Therefore, all the devotees of Shiva celebrate this day as a festival with reverence and devotion by staying awake the whole night and also keeping a fast. Devotees observe fasts and offer prayers with utmost devotion, believing that Lord Shiva grants their heartfelt wishes on this day. Lord Shiva has also been called the God of Kalyug and in worldly life, every human being faces some kind of sorrow at some time or the other. Although one cannot run away from these sorrows, the power to reduce the suffering or fight the sorrow is sought from Lord Shiva. It is believed that whatever wish the devotee makes to Lord Bholenath with devotion on this day, his wish will be fulfilled.
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The ritualistic worship of Lord Shiva as part of Shivratri puja includes creating a Panchang Vedi, performing Navagraha Mandal Puja, and offering various sacred items. The auspicious moment for Abhishek of the Shivling with milk and water is determined according to the Prahar Muhurta of the Shivratri Puja.
Maha Shivratri in 2024, will be celebrated on March 8, with the following Shivratri Puja timings:
Nishita Kaal Puja: From midnight to 00:56 AM on March 9th
Total Duration – 00 hours 49 minutes
Shivratri Parana Time: From 06:37 AM to 03:29 PM on March 9th
Shivratri Puja Muhurta for different prahars:
First Prahara: From 06:25 PM to 09:28 PM
Second Prahara: From 09:28 PM to 00:31 AM on March 9th
Third Prahara: From 00:31 AM to 03:34 AM on March 9th
Fourth Prahara: From 03:34 AM to 06:37 AM on March 9th
The Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 09:57 PM on March 8th and ends at 06:17 PM on March 9th.
Book a special Shivarchana or Rudra Abhishek puja on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri 2024!
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