One of the biggest Hindu festivals in the calendar is Maha Shivratri, where throngs of devotees seek the grace of Lord Shiva. To make the most of this festival and worship Lord Shiva properly, you must know the do's and don'ts. So, ahead of the festival, check out below!
Dedicated to worshiping Lord Shiva, Maha Shivratri is an occasion that many Hindus across the globe wait for. Within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity, which includes Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva is known as "The Destroyer." He is worshiped as one of the paramount deities of Hinduism. He is the slayer of all evil and can safeguard the world from damnation.
Maha Shivratri, also famously known as the great night of Shiva, marks the holy union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On Maha Shivratri, the devotees observe a day-long fast, perform the Puja during the Nishita Kaal (midnight), and remain awake all night. Thousands of devotees visit their local Shiva temples to please Lord Shiva. They pray for his guidance and blessings.
To seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, let us look into what should be done during Mahashivratri 2025.
Maha Shivratri 2025 Puja Muhurat
Maha Shivratri in 2025 will be observed on Wednesday, February 26. This sacred night dedicated to Lord Shiva holds immense spiritual significance, and performing the Shivratri Puja at the right time (muhurat) ensures maximum blessings. The Nishita Kaal Puja, the most auspicious time for worship, will take place from 12:09 AM to 12:59 AM on February 27, lasting 50 minutes. Devotees observing the Shivratri fast (vrat) can break it during the Parana Muhurat, which falls between 6:49 AM to 8:54 AM on February 27. The night is divided into four Prahars for Shiva Puja: the first Prahar is from 6:20 PM to 9:27 PM, the second Prahar from 9:27 PM to 12:34 AM (Feb 27), the third Prahar from 12:34 AM to 3:42 AM, and the fourth Prahar from 3:42 AM to 6:49 AM. The Chaturdashi Tithi, marking the sacred period of Maha Shivratri, begins at 11:08 AM on February 26 and concludes at 8:54 AM on February 27. Devotees should observe the fast with complete dedication, perform Shiva Abhishek during the designated Prahars, and chant Shiva Mantras to seek divine grace on this auspicious occasion.
What Are The Things You Must Keep in Mind?
Maha Shivratri is observed on the Chaturdashi Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the Phalguna or Magha month, depending on the Purnimant or Amavasyant calendar, respectively. As Maha Shivratri is known to have great spiritual significance and is highly auspicious, it is of utmost importance to celebrate it in the right way.
Here are a few dos and don'ts of Maha Shivratri that you must know to celebrate Maha Shivratri correctly and get the grace and blessings of Lord Shiva in abundance.
List of Dos to Keep in Mind
Maha Shivratri is a powerful spiritual occasion, and following the right practices can amplify its benefits. Here are some essential dos to keep in mind:
1. Begin Your Day with Purity
Wake up early in the morning and take a bath to cleanse your body and mind.
Wear fresh, clean clothes to maintain purity while performing the Puja.
Before starting the rituals, take a Sankalp (sacred resolution) to dedicate the day to devotion, fasting, and prayer.
2. Chant Powerful Mantras
Chanting mantras on Maha Shivratri enhances spiritual energy.
Repeating “Om Namah Shivay” multiple times is highly recommended.
Engage in bhajans (devotional songs), storytelling, and meditation to deepen your connection with Lord Shiva.
3. Observe a Sacred Fast (Vrat)
Fasting is a key part of Maha Shivratri, with some devotees opting for a strict nirjala vrat (no water) while others consume sattvic food.
Permitted foods include fruits, Sabudana-based dishes, and dairy products like milk and yogurt.
4. Offer Abhishek to Lord Shiva
Performing Abhishek (sacred bath) of the Shiva Lingam pleases Lord Shiva. Use:
Milk for purity
Honey for sweetness in life
Ghee for health
Curd for prosperity
Gangajal for spiritual purification
If possible, visit a Shiva temple or perform the ritual at home.
5. Stay Awake & Meditate All Night
Observing a night-long vigil (Jaagran) is considered auspicious.
Instead of sleeping, chant mantras, meditate, and sing bhajans to stay spiritually aligned.
Many temples conduct special midnight prayers—you can visit and participate for a divine experience.
Meditating on this night can bring inner peace, mental clarity, and deep spiritual insights.
By following these practices, you can experience the true essence of Maha Shivratri, bringing positivity, divine blessings, and spiritual awakening into your life.
Avoid eating anything after sunset to maintain the sanctity of the fast.
There are some things that should be avoided during the auspicious Maha Shivratri 2025. Here are some of them.
Black is a color that must be avoided on Maha Shivratri, so devotees should refrain from being dressed in black. Wearing black for Hindu rituals is forbidden as it is considered inauspicious. Therefore, if you are visiting Lord Shiva's temple or fasting, avoid this color and pick other colors such as pink, green, red, yellow, and white.
You shouldn't consume non-vegetarian food, onions, and garlic. You must also abstain from alcohol, tobacco, or any other kind of addictive stuff. Additionally, you must also stay away from food items made of wheat, rice, and pulses, as they are strictly prohibited during the fast.
Coconut water should not be offered to Lord Shiva during the occasion.
According to the Shastras and Puranas, you must not do a full Parikrama of the Shiva Lingam while performing the rituals. It should always be a semi-circle, and then you should return to where you had begun from.
As per the ancient Hindu scriptures, you must never offer Tulsi (holy Basil) to Lord Shiva while worshiping him. This is because it is considered that using Tulsi can cause the Puja to remain incomplete. Tulsi is also considered a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Tulsi is regarded as an auspicious offering made to Lord Vishnu. Therefore, it must be avoided during Lord Shiva's Pujas.
The Ketaki and Champa flowers must be avoided, as Lord Shiva had cursed these flowers. Hence, they shouldn’t be offered to Lord Shiva or used when offering him prayers.
Devotees should offer Bael leaves, water from the Ganges, Datura flowers, milk, and sandalwood paste to Lord Shiva, as it is considered auspicious. Bael is one of the holy trees. When you offer it to the divine Lord Shiva, make sure the leaves you offer are not cut, scratched, or insect-eaten from anywhere. They should be clean and without any damage. Damaged leaves could denote an insult to the supreme deity.
Even though Haldi (Turmeric) is often offered to Hindu deities, it is never offered to Lord Shiva or the Shiva Lingam. Turmeric is believed to be an ingredient related to women and helps enhance their beauty. And, as the Shiva Lingam is a symbol of masculinity or male essence, it is forbidden to offer Haldi to Lord Shiva. Moreover, as this ingredient helps enhance one's beauty and Lord Shiva is an ascetic who has given up on worldly pleasures, turmeric is not offered to him. Offering turmeric to the divine God will not bear you any fruits of worship. Sandalwood paste can be used instead of turmeric.
Also, You should abstain from indulgence on this day; instead, you should devote your time to spiritual activities and worshiping Lord Shiva with full devotion.
Summing Up
A traditional Hindu calendar is full of significant festivals, amongst which Maha Shivratri holds a lot of importance. The festival is hugely popular amongst the devotees. It is believed that anyone who observes a fast and prays to Lord Shiva on this day will be blessed abundantly. This is why observing Maha Shivratri should be celebrated in the right ways.
By following the dos and don'ts of Maha Shivratri 2025, given above, you can worship Lord Shiva properly and attain his blessings for a graceful and prosperous life ahead.
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