A total five pujas are held in temples and sacred places associated with Shiva during night on Shivaratri day. The five pujas on Mahashivratri day are performed at 8:30 PM, 11:00 PM, 1:30 AM, 4:00 AM and 6:30 AM. Chaturdashi tithi should be present during the period of five yama puja.
It is believed that participating in the five Yama puja is
equal to performing 1000 Pradosh Vrat.
Shiva Panchakshari Mantra – Om Namah Shivaya should be
chanted during the puja period.
These pujas are usually performed on the Mahashivratri day
but a devotee can also do this puja on all Shiva Chaturdashi day, which falls a
day before Amavasya. A devotee needs to just offer water and bilva leaves to a
Shivling during the period.