New Delhi. The festival of Mahashivratri is being celebrated with great pomp across the country today on Sunday, on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalgun. In Mahashivratri, Trayodashi-Chaturdashi coincides, after Trayodashi ends, Chaturdashi begins, the same time is considered to be the special auspicious time of Mahashivratri. According to astrologers, Trayodashi Tithi will remain during the day on 15th February, but Chaturdashi Tithi will start at 5:04 pm. In such a situation, only Chaturdashi will prevail throughout the night. Therefore Mahashivratri festival is being celebrated on 15th February.
This year, on Mahashivratri, Maha Udayaik Yoga named Vyatipat, Variyaan and Amrit and Nishith Kaal are also being formed. According to Pandit Sharad Chand Mishra, sunrise on this day will be at 6.25 am. Phalgun Krishna Trayodashi will last till 4:23 pm, after which Chaturdashi Tithi will start and will last throughout the night. Uttarashadha Nakshatra will last till 7.26 pm, after which Shravan Nakshatra will start. Vyatipat Yoga will last till 2:45 pm, after which Variyaan Yoga will take place. Also, Amrit Siddhi Yoga will remain present throughout the day and night. Nishith Kaal will last from 11:52 pm to 12:42 pm, which is considered the best time for special worship of Lord Shiva. Fifth note of musical scale. Narendra Upadhyay told that this year Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga will be from 6:25 am to 7:26 pm. Vyatipat is considered especially fruitful for yoga practice and chanting and penance. Abhijeet Muhurta will be in the afternoon, in which worship has special significance.
Importance of Mahashivratri: According to mythology, at the beginning of creation, on this day at midnight, Lord Shankar was incarnated from Brahma in the form of Rudra. At the time of Pralaya, on this very day, at the time of Pradosh, Lord Shiva destroys the universe with the flame of the third eye while performing Tandav. Therefore it is also called Mahashivratri or Kalratri. According to mythological interpretations, it is also celebrated as Shiva Vivah Mahotsav. Mahashivratri is considered one of the best nights of the year.
auspicious time
● Chaturdashi date present: 15 February 5:04 pm to 16 February 5:34 pm
● Special auspicious time of Shivratri: Starting from 5:04 pm on 15th
● Time of Jalabhishek: Starting from morning on 15th
● Special Punyakaal: Special Punyakaal Abhishek will take place after 5:04 pm.
Most auspicious time for Shiva puja-
Nishita Kaal Puja Time – 12:37 AM to 01:32 AM, February 16
Duration – 55 minutes
Shivratri Paran time – 07:57 AM to 01:04 PM on 16th February.
Night Pratham Prahar Puja Time – 06:11 PM to 09:38 PM
Night Second Prahar Puja Time – 09:38 PM to 01:04 AM, February 16
Night Tritiya Prahar Puja Time – 01:04 AM to 04:31 AM, February 16
Ratri Chaturtha Prahar Puja Time – 04:31 AM to 07:57 AM, February 16
Worship method of Mahashivratri (how to worship at home and temple)-
Mahashivratri puja method: How to perform puja at home – On the day of Mahashivratri, wake up early in the morning, take bath and wear clean clothes. Before performing puja at home, clean the place of puja thoroughly. Wash the Shivalinga with water and keep it in a clean place. First of all, anoint the Shivling with clean water. After this, Abhishek can be done one by one with milk, curd, ghee and honey. While doing Abhishek, keep chanting “Om Namah Shivay” in your mind. If all the things are not available then the puja is considered complete with just water and milk. After Abhishek, definitely offer Belpatra on Shivalinga. Along with this, Dhatura, Aak flowers and white flowers can be offered. While offering flowers, keep your wish in mind and remember Lord Shiva. After this, light incense sticks and sit quietly for some time and chant Shiva mantras. Speak your mind to Lord Shiva. You can also recite Shiv Chalisa or Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. Those who are able to stay awake at night and perform puja can perform Rudrabhishek in a simple way at home.
The right thing to keep Shivling in the house-
There is no tradition of keeping a very big Shivalinga in the house. Generally a small Shivling made of clay, stone, brass or silver is considered suitable for the home. It is considered good to worship by placing small idols of Lord Ganesha, Mother Parvati and Nandi along with Shivling.
Worship method of Mahashivratri: How to worship in the temple-
If you are going to the temple and worshiping, then take bath in the morning and go to the temple in clean clothes. Offer water to Shivalinga in the temple. In many places, there is arrangement for Abhishekam with milk, curd, ghee and honey, perform Abhishekam there with devotion. Keep chanting “Om Namah Shivay” in your mind. Offer Belpatra, Dhatura, Aak flowers and white flowers on Shivalinga. Follow the rules given by the priest. Meditate on Lord Shiva by lighting incense sticks. If possible, go to the temple at night and participate in Rudrabhishek or special puja. It is believed that worshiping on the night of Mahashivratri gives special results.
Chant these mantras on Mahashivratri-
On the day of Mahashivratri, some easy and effective mantras can be chanted to get the blessings of Lord Shiva. First of all chant the mantra “Om Namah Shivay”. This is considered to be the simplest and most powerful mantra of Lord Shiva. Mahamrityunjay Mantra is also chanted on this auspicious day –
Om Trimbakam Yajamahe Sugandhi Pushtivardhanam.
Urvarukamiv Bandhanaan Mrityormukshiya Mamritat.
What to offer and what not to offer on Shivling – During Mahashivratri or daily puja, anointment is done with water, milk, curd, ghee and honey on Shivling and after this, Belpatra must be offered, because it is considered most dear to Lord Shiva. White flowers, Aak and Dhatura are also offered. Light incense and lamps and worship with a simple heart. At the same time, Ketaki flower should not be offered on Shivalinga, because according to belief, it is considered prohibited in Shiva worship. Tulsi leaves are also not offered to Shivalinga, they are kept for Vishnu worship. Red colored flowers with strong fragrance, broken or withered flowers, stale flowers and offered Prasad should not be offered again to Shivalinga.