Mahashivratri is celebrated on Chaturdashi of Falgun Krishna Paksha, every year. Lord Shiva is the chief god of Hindu deities. Lord has many names like Sangharak, Mahesh, Bholenath, Rudra etc. Lord Brahma is the creator of universe and Vishnu is its care taker. Lord Shiva does the work of destroyer, hence, he is called the Sangharak. Lord Shiva is supreme God, so he is called Mahesh which means Maha + Ish

Lord Shiva get easily pleased by slightest devotion of his worshippers, and so, he is called Bholentah. The incarnation of lord Shiva in form of Rudra, gave him the name Rudra. Rigveda was the first scripture to mention about the Rudra name of Lord Shiva. Three Bhajna are dedicated to lord Shiva in Rigveda. Lord Shiva knows about the wishes of a person even without his asking. His wife is Parvati who is also called Shakti. His sons are Karthik and Ganesha.

Lord Shiva dwell in form of Yogi. Lord Shiva is different from other God. He is known for his Rudra and mild image. He is the chief God for the origin of universe, its state and destruction. The holocaust and abundance both are under lord Shiva. His action and art is amazing. He has a balance of all emotions and expressions. Where on one hand, moon sists on his head, on the other, snakes swing on his neck like necklace.

He is a Yogi and involved in family life as well. he had a gentle nature still, his attitude contained the Rudra form or agitation. His family includes ghost - sprite, snakes, lion, Nandi, rodents etc. Everyone is on the same level for Lord Shiva. He is also known as the Mahakal. Worshipping the Mahakal is known as the occasion of Mahashivaratri.

A person who want to please lord Shiva and go in his shelter, he should perform Puja and observe the fast of Mahashivaratri. People fasting on this day, enjoy the pleasures of this world and reach the Shiva Lok after death. Paran of Shivratri fast is performed on Chaturdashi. This gives auspicious fruits to a person similar to visiting all spiritual places. Individual who stays far from the devotion towards lord Shiva, he always roam in the circle of live and death.

Shivaratri Puja

The festival of Mahashivaratri is celebrated on Chaturdashi of Falgun Krishna Paksha. This day, devotees worship lord Shiva and ask for the blessing of fulfillment of all their wishes. Worshippers complete their routine works like bathing etc. and meditate lord Shiva for the whole day. The crowd of devotess can be seen in various Shivalayas from morning to night. Lord Shiva should be worshipped in all the four Pehar of night, on Maha Shivaratri.

Bel leaves should be offered to Shivlinga. Flowers of Dhatura are used for worshipping Shivlinga. Bel leaves and Dhatura is very dear to lord Shiva, hence, these are used in Shiva Pujan. Chanting of Mahamritunyaj mantra pleases lord Shiva and removes all sorts of obstacles in life. It is chanted for 108 times to cancel all problems and grief in a person’s life. The mantra is as follows

"ऊँ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम, उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात"

Shivaratri Puja Importance

People worshipping lord Shiva on the day of Mahashivaratri, get salvation and devotion. In the midnight of Mahashivratri, lord Shiva appeared in the form of Linga. Planet Mars is related with Trishul of Lord Shiva. Jupiter is related to the sound of lord’s Damru. Moon sits on the head of God and pleases him with the luster. Venus, significator of the 7th house of Kundali, becomes creator of new creatures only by the combination of Shiva and Shakti. Remaning planets like Budh etc. are helpful in creating equanimity. Because of all these reasons, Shiva Pujan is considered very significant.

Different names of Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva is given various names by Hindus. All the names have there own significance. the names are:-

• Rudra - means, the creator and destroyer of grief


• Pashupati Nath - means, the lord of animal, birds and living organism


• Ardhnarishwar - this name of lord Shiva became famous after the combination of Shiva and Shakti.


• Mahadev - means, the supreme power of lord


• Bhole - lord Shiva has a soft heart. He is merciful and get easily pleased. he tend to forgive everyone. So, he is called Bhole.


• Lingam - it means the flame of light and it is the symbol of whole universe.


• Natraj - means the lord of dance. Lord Shiva likes the Tandav dance and so he is called Natraj. Nat means the dancer.