junagadh maha shivratri

Maha Shivratri 2025: Date, Shubh Muhurat, History, Significance, Rituals, Mantras, And Wishes

Maha Shivratri, often called the “Great Night of Shiva,” is one of the most revered festivals in Hinduism, celebrated with immense devotion by millions of Lord Shiva’s followers worldwide. This sacred occasion is a time for spiritual reflection, fasting, and connecting with the divine energies of Shiva, the destroyer and transformer in the Hindu trinity. As we approach Maha Shivratri 2025, let’s dive into its date, auspicious timings, historical roots, deep significance, traditional rituals, powerful mantras, and heartfelt wishes to share with loved ones.

Maha Shivratri falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu month of Phalguna, typically between February and March. In 2025, this auspicious festival will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 26. The exact timing of the Chaturdashi Tithi, which determines the day of observance, begins at 11:08 AM on February 26 and ends at 8:54 AM on February 27, according to traditional Hindu panchangs. However, since Maha Shivratri is a night-centric festival, the rituals are primarily performed on the evening and night of February 26.

The “shubh muhurat” (auspicious timing) for performing the puja is divided into four prahars (segments of the night), allowing devotees to choose the most convenient time for worship. Here are the approximate timings for 2025:

• First Prahar: 6:29 PM to 9:34 PM (February 26)
• Second Prahar: 9:34 PM to 12:39 AM (February 27)
• Third Prahar: 12:39 AM to 3:45 AM (February 27)
• Fourth Prahar: 3:45 AM to 6:50 AM (February 27)

The Nishita Kaal, considered the most potent time for Shiva worship, falls between 12:09 AM and 12:59 AM on February 27. Devotees who stay awake all night often perform rituals during this period to maximize spiritual benefits. The fast-breaking time, or Parana, is recommended between sunrise (around 6:50 AM) and before 8:54 AM on February 27.

Maha Shivratri is steeped in fascinating legends that highlight Lord Shiva’s divine power and compassion. One of the most popular stories ties the festival to the cosmic event of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean by gods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality. During this process, a deadly poison emerged, threatening to destroy the universe. Lord Shiva, in his boundless mercy, drank the poison to save creation, holding it in his throat—earning him the name Neelkanth (the blue-throated one). Devotees celebrate Maha Shivratri as a tribute to this selfless act, offering milk and water to cool the heat of the poison.

Another cherished tale links the festival to the divine union of Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that on this night, Goddess Parvati’s penance culminated in her marriage to Shiva, symbolizing the harmony of consciousness (Shiva) and nature (Parvati). Additionally, some traditions hold that Shiva performed his cosmic dance, the Tandava, on this night, representing the cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction.

These stories passed down through scriptures like the Puranas weave a rich tapestry of devotion and mysticism around Maha Shivratri, making it a night of profound spiritual awakening.

Maha Shivratri is more than a festival—it’s a spiritual gateway. For devotees, it’s a night to overcome darkness and ignorance, aligning with Shiva’s role as the destroyer of negativity. Fasting and staying awake (jacaranda) are believed to cleanse the body and soul, inviting Shiva’s blessings for peace, prosperity, and liberation (moksha). The festival also holds special meaning for those seeking forgiveness, as Shiva is known as Bholenath, the innocent and easily pleased deity.

It’s a day for married couples to pray for harmony and longevity, while unmarried individuals seek blessings for an ideal partner, inspired by Shiva and Parvati’s divine bond. The worship of the Shiva Lingam, a symbol of formless divinity, underscores the festival’s focus on transcendence and unity with the infinite.

The rituals of Maha Shivratri are simple yet deeply symbolic, designed to honour Shiva’s presence. Here’s how devotees typically observe the day:

1. Fasting: Many observe a strict fast, abstaining from food and water (Nirjala Vrat) or consuming only fruits and milk (Phalahar Vrat). The fast begins after a bath at sunrise and ends the next morning after Parana.
2. Morning Preparations: Devotees wake before dawn, bathe (preferably with Gangajal), and wear clean clothes—often white or saffron—to signify purity.
3. Abhishekam: The Shiva Lingam is bathed with offerings like milk (for purity), honey (for sweetness), curd, ghee, and water (for cleansing). Bel leaves, sacred to Shiva, are offered with devotion.
4. Puja: An altar is set up with a Shiva Lingam or idol. Devotees light a ghee lamp, burn incense, and offer flowers, fruits, and betel leaves. The puja includes chanting mantras and performing aarti.
5. Night Vigil: Staying awake all night, devotees sing bhajans, recite scriptures like the Shiva Purana, and meditate to absorb Shiva’s divine energy.