Mahashivratri 2022

Mahashivratri 2022 is approaching, and here is the blog regarding Mahashivratri, which covers various topics like as Significance of Mahashivratri, Beliefs related to Mahashivratri, How the Mahashivratri festival is celebrated at various shiva places, about fast, etc. Next year Mahashivratri falls on 1st March 2022, and it is the most significant festival in the Indian spiritual calendar. 

Maha Shivratri Festival

In Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva is known as the creator and destroyer of the universe. Maha Shivratri Festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is celebrated once a year. This marks various fascinating traditions, and it is celebrated across India.

The difference between Shivratri and Maha Shivratri is made up of two different worlds, "Shiva" and "Ratri," in which Shiva refers to the "Lord" whereas "ratri "refers to the "night." The word "Maha" in the "Mahashivratri" stands for "Grand/Great." Maha Shivratri is the "GREAT NIGHT OF SHIVA," which is celebrated and dedicated to the supreme deity. Shivratri occurs every month. The 14th day of every lunar month is Shivratri. So, out of a total of 12 Shivratri's in a Hindu calendar year that occurs a day prior to the new moon, this auspicious Maha Shivratri festival usually occurs in February or March according to the western calendar.

There is a powerful natural rise of energy by changing planetary positions on this night. It is said that staying awake (Jagaran) all the great night of Shiva is highly beneficial for an individual's physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Beliefs Regarding Mahashivratri

Worshippers request lord shiva and celebrate the Mahashivratri to seek his blessings as he is the supreme divinity and known for his wisdom.

There are some beliefs regarding the festival Mahashivratri, such as this auspicious festival falls on the 14th day of the lunar moon of the (Marathi) month of Phalguna. Some also believe that on this day, Lord Shiva performed Tandava Nritya; according to worshippers, this saved the universe from destruction. On the day of Mahashivratri, some Hindu believers say Lord Shiva drank the poison (from Samudra Manthan) to protect this universe.

Whereas, the real belief about the Maha Shivratri festival is it marks the wedding day of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and that is the main reason why couples and singles worship Shiva on this day to pray for a happy married life.

How is Mahashivratri Celebrated?

This Mahashivratri festival is celebrated across India with zest, whereas it is a holiday in most states. This festival is also celebrated by the Hindu population of Nepal and Mauritius, Sri Lanka. This is celebrated by offering Bael (Bell leaves) to lord shiva by all-day fasting and chanting sacred shlokas and mantra (Om Namah Shivay) in various Shiva Temples. 

Some special Mahashivratri puja like Mahashivratri Abhisheka is also held across homes and temples throughout the state.

How to Observe a Fast on Mahashivratri?

Among many beliefs, the thing that remains constant is the love and dedication of worshippers for Lord shiva, the dedication with which all the believers celebrate this auspicious Mahashivratri festival across the country. 

Devotees observe a fast (Shivratri Vrat) on this day and worship the Shivlinga with Panchamrut (Panchamrut consists of water, milk, fruits, bael leaves ). This Shivratri Vrat is different from the one followed during other Hindu pujas where worshipper eats food after performing the deity. This Shivratri Vrat continues day and night.

Before you start, stay calm and meditate to relieve all the anxiety and stress.

There are a total of Five Types of Fast that you can take, which are:

• Without water and food (Nirjala Upwas)
• With water only.
• With liquid just like fruit juice and soups.
• With fruits only.
• With light food.

Drink maximum water to stay hydrated. People with some health issues like diabetes, digestive problems, or pregnancy should not opt for other than liquid or fruit-based fast. Fast helps in detoxification.

People who observe fast with light food can choose from Sabudana Khichdi ( Tapioca), buckwheat Puri (Kuttu Puri), water chestnut flour Halwa (singhara atta halwa), pumpkin soup /halwa with rock salt. The whole day of Mahashivratri spends by chanting the Panchakshari mantra (Om Namah Shivay) and Shlokas.

Mahashivratri Vrat Importance

• Setting the mental stage for deep meditation.
• Increasing the power of prayers.
• Frees the mind from negative emotions.

Mahashivratri at Various Shiva Places

For years and years, all the shiva temples on this day turn into significant pilgrims sites where no of the devotees come and offering prayers to the beloved Shiva. The festivity at major shiva temples In India makes for quite a delightful spectacle.

One of the major Shiva temples In India is Trimbakeshwar Temple, and it is one of the sacred jyotirlingas out of 12 jyotirlingas, such as 

• Somnath (Gujrat)
• Malikarjuna (Shrisailam in Andhra Pradesh)
• Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh)
• Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
• Kedarnath (Himalayas)
• Bhimashankar (Maharashtra)
• Vishwanath (Varanasi),
• Vaijyanath (Jharkhand)
• Nageshwar (Dwarka)
• Rameshwaram (Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu)
• Grishneshwar (Aurangabad, Maharashtra)
• Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra).

During the week, devotees came here from all over the state to worship Shiva and seek his blessings. There are no various temples dedicated to deities in this small town on the river Godavari bank.

In the state of Parvati, Himachal Pradesh celebrates this fest with zest. Also, in Ujjain, one of the prime destinations to celebrate this festival, devotees gather here and observe fast for two days. In south Indian states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, this auspicious day is celebrated as the sign of lord Shiva's Tandav Nritya. In Kerala's kadapra kainikkara temple celebrates this festival with decoration and folk music. There are so many ways of celebrating the great night of Shiva in various states in one country.

Significance of Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is significant for all those people who are on the religious and spiritual path, people who are in family situations. It was the day when Shiva conquered all his enemies.

The day of Mahashivratri is considered as significant for the reasons which are given as below:

• Freedom from the Past deeds or bad karmas.
• Get salvation (Moksha) from the birth-death cycle.
• Married women get marital bliss and prosperous life.
• Unmarried women worship for being blessed with ideal husband life, Lord shiva.

Mahashivratri 2022 important dates and time

All the auspicious time and dates of Mahashivratri 2022 are listed here:

• Maha Shivratri Date: 1st March, Tuesday.
• Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - 1st March 2022 03:16 AM 
• Chaturdashi Tithi Ends – 2nd March 2022 Time: 01:00 AM 
• Ratri First Prahar Puja – 2nd March 2022 Time: 06:40 PM to 09:44 PM
• Ratri Second Prahar Puja – 2nd March 2022 Time: 09:44 PM to 12:47 AM
• Ratri Third Prahar Puja – 2nd March 2022 Time: 12:47 AM to 03:50 AM
• Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja – 2nd March 2022 Time: 03:50 AM to 06:53 AM
  
  

For getting more details, stay tuned for our upcoming blog.