On the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri, or Mahashivratri, Hindu devotees around the world observe Shivratri Vrat or Upvaas or fast. The fasting involves refraining from eating any food and not sleeping through out the night. Sivaratri literally means ‘the night of Lord Shiva’ and unlike other festivals associated with Hinduism there is no fun and merrymaking on the day. But the night provides an opportunity to cleanse the ignorance and realize that you are Brahman and open the door to bliss.
The day after Shivratri is Amavasi – the dark night or the no moon night. It symbolizes the evil forces – desire, greed, illusion, arrogance, jealousy, and anger – which dominate the Kaliyuga. Shiva is believed to have appeared in the form of ‘Lingodabhavamurti’ or Jyotir Linga on the Shivratri night. The Linga is an attempt to give form to the formless Brahmn. Praying to Shiva is to escape from miseries of Kaliyuga.
The Mahashivratri fasting begins on the morning of Shivratri and ends next day morning or the Amavasya morning. Since it is a long Upvaas or Vrat, many people consume a special meal known as ‘phalar.’
- Devotees wake up before sunrise and take bath and wear clean clothes.
- Applying of sacred ash, or vibhuthi, is an important aspect on the day. People also wear a Rudraksha Mala.
- The idols of Ganesh, Shiva and Parvati are cleaned and a lamp is lit.
- Most people then visit a nearby Shiva temple. In most places, Shivratri is largely observed in temples.
- Some people observing fast consume a mid-day meal consisting of non-cereal food such as boiled potatoes which is made into a curry without onion, garlic, adarak or haldi. Another food eaten on the day is pakori or Kutt Singahri ki puri.
- Most devotees go for a fruit diet and drink lots of water.
- No meal is eaten after sunset.
- Next meal is taken on the morning of Amavasi after doing puja and giving alms.
- The entire night is spend in a nearby Shiva temple or by chanting Mantras or listening to stories related to Shiva.
- Some of the important mantras that are chanted on the day include: Shiva Panchakshari Mantra – Om Namah Shivaya or chanting the sacred names of Lord Shiva.
- People who have a Shivling at home can bathe the Shivling with water intermittently throughout the night.
All the rituals on the night of Shivratri are meant to cleanse the ignorance and realize the Brahmn manifest in you. The fasting, rituals and chanting are meant to kill desire, greed, illusion, arrogance, jealousy, and anger. This will make you a better person and prepare you to face the challenges.
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61 comments:
nice article...very much informative
very interesting and simple to understand for children and adults alike Reena Goutam
can we have only liquid diet and observe fast?? because last year I fall ill the next day...
Yes you can always opt for a liquid diet and fast.
thanks for the immediate reply...
This is a very helpful article for all the devotees of lord shiva who are observing shivratri....Smita,gurgaon
when can I break fast??
I am going to observe mahasivarathiri vrath for the first time.
Thanks for this excellent guide
thank you verymuch. iam first timer this year
very handy and fantastic guide to know about the fasting.I will be observing this fast for the first time for lord shiva..Hope it goes well..
hi.i m 5 months pregnant..is it ok if i do shivrathri pooja
thanks
If you are taking medicines then it is better you avoid fasting and opt for a Vegetarian diet.Thanks Smitha
v informtive article.. can u tell whether we can keep lingam at the house. ? some peole sy that we should keep lingam ? is this true
Am I allowed to eat crisps as part of the potato's allowed during the fast?
No pregnant lady should actually opt for a fast because the developing baby needs a constant inflow of food and nutrients. And, fasting can make the would-be mother very weak.
Thank u Smitha
thanks for the informative article.
hi.. i am in US now.. when should i be awake.. India Night timing or US Night timing?
It is safe to follow the US time.
The Maha Shiv Ratri is nearing next month, here are some tips that I follow:
1)I observe fast for 8 pahar. Ek pahar is 3hrs. Starting 4am till next morning 4am (24hrs). You must wake up before sunrise.
2) If you are employed, take day or two off for the love of Shiva and dedicate to the pooja.
3) Before sunset(Ratri pooja), I set-up lingam, Parvati and Ganesha in my living room on a table about 1-2ft high. Arrange flowers, Bel Patra and pooja samagri.
So you start your pooja and repeat every PAHAR. See guidance in Maha Shiv Puran. Do as much as possible with all your heart. Be awake all night.
I also listen to Shiv bhajan, shiv video etc..
So this is what I do...
By the way, I live in Saudi. Here there is no mandir at all and practicing religion in public is a crime.
i used to observe fast every year. last year it got discontinued some how. I would like to restart again. but some where I heard I should start fasting again on 'maha shivarathri comes on Monday". is that true?
You can start fast from this shivratri no need to wait for the shivratri comes on Monday
i would like to fast this year for shivratri, please assist me and tell me what all i need to do on this day?
If i am in the temple for the night of Shivaratri, should I eat the prashad or not?
Thanks .
yes you can eat prasad provided from the temple.
Fast from sunrise to next day sunrise. If you are working opt for fruits etc. Keep chanting om namah shivaya. Rest details are written above.
Thanks, but i MUST eat prasad in the night or i can eat after the night?
This year! Yes! I am going to fast!
This year! Yes! I am going to fast!
Hi,
I would like to know when is shivratri in,newjersey usa. Few temples are celebrating on sunday 19 and few celebrating on monday 20. And here amavasya is on 21. Please if some body could shed some light on this. That would be a great help for me.
Thank you
USA time by panchangs based in US is on February 19. You can make decision regarding this you can observe it on any one day.
carrots are allowed or not?
Can we have idlis on mahashivratri?
Carrots are allowed. Idlis you can have if you are not fasting or it is part of the single meal you take on the day.
Hi! I am doing shivratri vrat for the first time and have a few questions..
1. Is there any particular prayer to star the fast?
2. Is it mandatory to visit the temple when we keep and open the fast?
thanks
you can chant Om Namah Shivaya while beginning the fast ...you can chant this mantra the whole day and also while ending the fast.
No it is no mandatory. Shiva is present everywhere.
Those in US or else where in other country but not in India, should follow the thithi (indian calender) to know when Amavasya starts and then begin the fast for 24 hours.
Fasting for pregnent ladies are prohibited, but can perform shivratri pooja.
Om Namah Shivay
Paras
can we eat full meal to break the fast in the evening,pls let me know.i am confused regarding,how long to fast?and how to break the fast?
Thank you so much for the information. Devotees especially in foreign countries will always be thankful to you.
You said stay awake in the night, so can one sleep in the day for a while?
Is there a special direction in which the lingum is to be placed (facing east/west)? Just curious.
Thank you once again
i would love to know i just come from office.. and i am worried that i can have the Kaatu ke aate ki roti with potato (Aalu) or not
coz i have read that no meals after sunset.. ??
Hi ... I wanted to asked , I heard that 11 days before mahashivratri we shud start fasting ( i.e no non vege and pray shiv every1 early morning ) [ as in normal days i wake up late as i sleep late )
I have 1 rudraksha bead ( 5 mukhi ) , can i wear dat instead of mala ( in case am not able to buy 1 ) - infact its alz in my neck
Mahashivratri is on a sund here , sund nite ending on monday morning , am going to start solah somvar vrat after mahashivratri - is it a good time to start ??
Since we shall be awake during the night , Can we sleep during the day after morning prayer.
[ i ll be doing full fast ]
I pray that every1 prayer is accepted i used to pray and offer bel patra , chat 108 om namaha shivaya few yrs back .. out of love for shiva then my life follows loads of chaos mayb shiv has given me strength so far but I had stop praying ( but used to remember him in hrt ) as i had stop believing in myself! I re-started again in 2012 , life situation is worsen , i feel like having no reason to live now! I hope I regain my faith and shiva help me , guide me and bless my 16 monday fast as well.I do not kw if praying for a problem is wrong or right but shiva is the only 1 I Can open ,mself with.
-Anjali
- Anjali
Har Har Mahaadev. Someone pls answer Anjali so that the clouds of doubt are clear before Shivratri
@Anjali no the vrat is only to be observed on March 10.
Yes you can start solah somvar vrat next day. - You can opt for a partial fast on this day if you are doing a complete fast on Mahashivratri.
Yes you can sleep
Ohm Namah Shivay, Let me tell you shiva loves all. There is no hard and fast rule to follow Shiv Ratri. We are only following what our parents have told us. The main thing is prepare your mind and soul for prayer to lord shiva. For this you need to clean yourself by taking an early morning bath. Then you need to clean your lord shiva, by making him bath with holy ganga water, milk, honey, curd, suger, ghee..if not available only plain water will do. then prepare your lord for the puja, offer bail leaves, mind it, it should not be damaged, means it should have all the three leaves. Put one or 5 or 7 bael leaves on the shiv lingam and decorate with kumkum, sandalwood paste and flowers. light ghee lamp,incense stick and offer prayer to your beloved lord. Fasting is not mandatory, if your body permits then do it or if not take small amount of food at regular interval but it has to be fruits, sweets, milk etc not cereals. Thats all if you can remain awake through out the night its good, else you can also sleep by lighting a lamp before your lord shiva, its the sign of your consciousness.
i wamt sahasra nama's in telugu pls any 1 cn tel d address
pls i want sahasra nama;s in telugu
i am fasting on mondays and this year i want to keep shivratri fast too.how can i do shivratri fast?
Har Har Mahadev I too going too observe fast of mahashivratri i'm very exiting right from now hope it'll be the finest fast
i used to observe Monday fast and this time shiva ratri is on sunday and this vrata wil complete on morning of next day so please tell wt should i do?
I have the same question what poster said above me..i do fast every monday and this year is my first fast on maha shivratri so when am i allowed to eat? monday sunset? and when do i take my meal before shivratri? before sunrise on sunday? please help me thank you :)
Opt for a partial fast on one day.
You can opt for partial fast on Shivratri day.
Eat fruits and drink lots of water also opt for a veg meal at noon on Shivratri day. Drink lots of water and eat fruits on both days.
Very nicely written. Simple and informative.Thanks a lot. Happy Mahashivratri to all.
Very nicely written. Simple and informative.Thanks a lot. Happy Mahashivratri to all.
Har har mahadev..
I keep nirjal mahashivratri vrat....and belive me its lil difficult but it feel osum....happy mahashivratri to all....may bhole baba bless all:))
Nice article
Hi,
Very nice and simple info given to understand..I want to keep fast but do not like to visit tempal so I had to borrow shiv ling and did the puja..
Please suggest what I did is wrong ?
There is nothing wrong in borrowing Shivling. You did is fine.
Hi, I wake up at today 6am and i did not had any thing atleast water also upto 6pm. Then I am so hungry. i had juice, tea and pani puri. Is there any mistake i did. please tell me i was worrying
When is Shivratri in Canada, i was told to celebrate it on the 9th?
Sorry meant so ask, the times for Mahashivratri in Vancouver Canada, to be specific.Dr.Panchangs site said to celebrate the 9th and Laxmi temple celebrating on the 10th
Hai,as part of fasting on shivrathri,after the overnight non-sleeping fast,should i stay awake that the morning as well?
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