Maha Shivaratri 2024: Maha Shivaratri is one of the major festivals of Hindu which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the main festivals celebrated across all parts of the country.
According to various Puranas, many beliefs are prevalent about this day, but the main one is the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati on this day. According to the Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month.
Maha Shivaratri is considered the most important of the 12 Shivaratri that are celebrated in a year. The holy festival of Mahashivaratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the world.
For Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Shighra Darshan, Puja and Abhishek
Mahashivratri 2024 | Maha Shivaratri
This year the festival of Mahashivratri was celebrated on Friday, March 08 2024.
- Mahashivaratri Begins: 08 March 2024, 9:57 PM
- Mahashivaratri ends: 09 March 2024, 6:17 PM
What is the difference between Shivaratri and Maha Shivaratri
Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of every month is called Shivaratri. But the Shivratri falling on Krishna Chaturdashi of Phalgun month is called Maha Shivratri, which has great importance in Hinduism.
The importance of Mahashivratri is because it is the night of the union of Shiva and Shakti. Spiritually it is said to be the night of the union of nature and man. Shiva devotees keep fast on this day and get the blessings of their deity. The program of Jalabhishek in the temples goes on throughout the day. But do you know why Mahashivaratri is celebrated, and what is the story behind it?
Why Do We Celebrate Mahashivaratri
There are many beliefs related to celebrating Mahashivaratri. According to a legend, during the churning of the ocean, a poison named Halahal was also created which had the ability to destroy the universe and hence only Lord Shiva could destroy it. Seeing this crisis, all the gods and sages went to Lord Shankar and started praying for protection.
Lord Shiva took the poison named Halahal in his throat. The poison was so strong that Lord Shiva woke up in great pain and his throat turned very blue. For this reason, Lord Shiva is famous by the name of ‘Neelkanth‘. For the treatment, the physicians advised the gods to keep Lord Shiva awake throughout the night.
To wake up Shiva, all the gods performed different dances and played music throughout the night. As morning broke, Lord Shiva, pleased with their devotion, blessed them all. Shivratri is the celebration of the event by which Shiva saved the world.
According to beliefs, the creation of this world started from this day with the emergence of Agnilinga, which is a huge beam of light of Mahadev.
This day is a good opportunity for us to get the blessings of Lord Shiva, therefore there is special importance in worshiping and awakening Shiva on the day of Maha Shivaratri.
Legends Related to Mahashivaratri
According to Puranas such as Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana and Padma Purana, Maha Shivaratri is a festival specially dedicated to Lord Shiva and there are many stories related to it.
The Story of the Agni Linga of Lord Shiva
According to the legend mentioned in the Vishnu Purana, when Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma were disputing over the supremacy of creation, Lord Shiva created a huge pillar of light and directed both the gods (Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma) to find the end of the light in both directions.
Lord Vishnu and Brahma split their way towards the opposite direction respectively to find the end of the light in both directions. Lord Brahma lied that he had found the end of the lighthouse, but Lord Vishnu accepted defeat. Lord Shiva then cursed Lord Brahma that even though he is the creator of the universe, he would not be worshipped.
This incident happened on the 14th day of Falgun month and it was on this day that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of Agni Linga or Jyotirlinga. That’s why this day is celebrated as Mahashivaratri.
Story of Halahal Poison
The second story is related to Lord Shiva consuming Halahal poison in his throat. According to this, when the ocean was being churned by the gods and the asuras together to get nectar. Then many things appeared from the sea. One of them was Halahal poison, this poison was so intense and deadly that all the devas and asuras refused to even touch this pot full of poison.
When this problem created havoc in the whole world and all the living beings of the world were in trouble, then all the gods reached the shelter of Lord Shiva and wished to protect the whole world from Halahal poison. Then Lord Shankar drank this terrible poison and held it in his throat. Due to this, his throat turned blue and he was called ‘Neelkanth’. Lord Shiv saved the whole world from this. Since then the same day is celebrated as the festival of Maha Shivaratri.
Story Related to the Marriage of Shiva-Parvati
The most popular story about Mahashivaratri is related to the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. According to this, Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati were married on this day of Falgun month. Since then we celebrate Maha Shivaratri as the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.
Significance of Maha Shivaratri
The festival of Mahashivratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals. Shiva devotees keep fast on this day. This fast has great spiritual significance in our lives. Shiva devotees believe that observing this fast bestows the blessings of Lord Shiva himself. Fasting (Vrata) is a method of controlling the two natural forces, Rajas and Tamas. The fasting of Maha Shivaratri frees a person from both these evil forces.
The festival of Mahashivratri shows the importance of divine power in our lives and reminds us of the infinite sacrifices made by Lord Shiva by consuming poison to save the universe.
Along with this, there is also a belief that Lord Shiva is very close to us on the day of Maha Shivratri, and those who worship and jagran on this day receive his special blessings.
Masik Shivratri 2024 List
1. Poush Masik Shivaratri – January 10, 2024, Wednesday
- Poush Krishna Chaturdashi begins: January 9, Night 10:24 PM
- Ends: January 10, Night 08:10 PM
2. Magh Masik Shivaratri – February 8, 2024, Thursday
- Magh Krishna Chaturdashi begins: February 8, Morning 11:17 AM
- Ends: February 9, Morning 08:02 AM
3. Phalguna Maha Shivaratri – March 8, 2024, Friday
- Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi begins: March 8, Night 09:57 PM
- Ends: March 9, Evening 06:17 PM
4. Chaitra Masik Shivaratri – April 7, 2024, Sunday
- Chaitra Krishna Chaturdashi begins: April 7, Morning 06:53 AM
- Ends: April 8, Morning 03:21 AM
5. Vaishakh Masik Shivaratri – May 6, 2024, Monday
- Vaishakh Krishna Chaturdashi begins: May 6, Afternoon 02:40 PM
- Ends: May 7, Morning 11:40 AM
6. Jyeshtha Masik Shivaratri – June 4, 2024, Tuesday
- Jyeshtha Krishna Chaturdashi begins: June 4, Night 10:01 PM
- Ends: June 5, Evening 07:54 PM
7. Ashadha Masik Shivaratri – July 4, 2024, Thursday
- Ashadha Krishna Chaturdashi begins: July 4, Morning 05:54 AM
- Ends: July 5, Morning 04:57 AM
8. Shravan Masik Shivaratri – August 2, 2024, Friday
- Shravan Krishna Chaturdashi begins: August 2, Evening 03:26 PM
- Ends: August 3, Evening 03:50 PM
9. Bhadrapad Masik Shivaratri – September 1, 2024, Sunday
- Bhadrapad Krishna Chaturdashi begins: September 1, Morning 03:40 AM Ends: September 2, Morning 05:21 AM
10. Kartik Masik Shivaratri – October 30, 2024, Wednesday
- Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi begins: October 30, Afternoon 01:15 PM
- Ends: October 31, Afternoon 03:52 PM
11. Margashirsha Masik Shivaratri – November 29, 2024, Friday
- Margashirsha Krishna Chaturdashi begins: November 29, Morning 08:39 AM Ends: November 30, Morning 10:29 AM
12. Poush Masik Shivaratri – December 29, 2024, Sunday
- Poush Krishna Chaturdashi begins: December 29, Morning 03:32 AM
- Ends: December 30, Morning 04:01 AM
(All Time Zone- India, New Delhi)
FAQ- Maha Shivaratri 2024
1. When is Maha Shivratri this year?
This year Mahashivaratri is on 08 March 2024, Friday.
2. What is the difference between Shivratri and Mahashivaratri?
Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of every month is called Shivratri. But Shivratri which falls on Krishna Chaturdashi of Phalgun month is called Mahashivratri.
3. How many Shivratris are there in a year?
The 14th day of each lunar month – the eve of the new moon and the darkest night of the month is known as Shivaratri. Every month there is one Shivratri i.e. 12 Shivratri in a year.
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