Fast of Mahashivaratri is very significant for devotees of lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated on Trayodashi of Falgun Krishna Paksha. In the year 2024, this auspicious fast will be on 18th February, Saturday. Lord Bholenath get easily pleased by observing this fast and the wishes of the devotee comes true. This fast can be observed by everyone whether men, women, children, youths or old aged.

Fasting, worshipping lord Shiva, reading Shiva Stotra, Katha and performing Jagran at night by chanting the mantra "ॐ नमः शिवाय", gives fruit similar to Ashvamedha Yagya. On the next day of fast, Brahmans are given food, clothes and donations etc.

Mahashivaratri Importance

It is believed, person who observe this fast receives all kinds of pleasure and salvation after death. This fast cancel all sorts of sins. After observing this fast for 14 years regularly,the Vrat is concluded.

Mahashivaratri Vrat Resolution

The resolution of fast is taken by saying the Samvat name, month, Paksha, Nakshatra of the day, name, Gotra etc. For taking the resolution, water, rice, flowers etc are taken in hand and offered to Shivalinga.

Maha Shivaratri Puja Materials

The Puja materials include Panchamrit (Ganga Jal, milk, curd, ghee and honey) scented flowers, clean clothes, Bel leaves, incense sticks, lamps, Navedy, sandalwood paste, seasonal fruit etc.

Mahashivaratri Fast Method

Person observing fast of Mahashivaratri should meditate of lord Shiva the whole day. After having bath in the morning, Tikal of ash is wore on the forehead and beads of Rudraksha is wore. Lord Shiva is worshipped facing the North East direction (Ishan Kon) with lamps, flowers etc.

On the day of this fast, Puja is performed in every period of the day. The mantra "ॐ नमः शिवाय" व " शिवाय नमः" is chanted in every phase day. If it is not possible to go to the temple then, the person should sit in a peaceful corner of east direction and chant the mantras. Chanting of these mantras is considered to give virtues to a person. Moreover, lord Shanker can be pleased by performing Rudrabhishek.

Lord Shiva Incarnation

For performing Shiva Abhishek on Mahashivaratri, first of all a utensil made of wood is filled with water mixed which contains leaves of Bel, Dhatura, flowers and rice etc. and offered to lord Shivlinga. Shiva Puran should be heard on the day of fast. Asatvik thoughts should not be brought to the mind. On the next morning of fast, Hawan should be performed with barley, Til, Kheer and Bel leaves.

On the day of Shivaratri, crowd of Shiva devotees can be seen in the temple of lord Shanker. Lord Shiva is very much pleased when worshipped with Bel leaves etc. Fasting, worshipping and performing Jagran at night give auspicious results. Lord Shiva was married on this day, so, Shiva’s procession is carried out in the night. All class of people observe this fast and gain virtues.

Mahashivaratri Story

There lived a hunter who was indebted to a moneylender, but he could not return the loans on time. Filled with anger, the moneylender, made him a prisoner and kept him in the Shiva Math. Accidentally, that day was Shiva Ratri. Hunter meditated about God, then heard the religious talk about Lord Shiva. He also heard the Shiva Ratri Katha on Chaturdashi. In the evening, the moneylender, called him and had a talk on paying of loans. The hunter promised to repay all of the loan on the next day and he got free from the bond.

Like his routine, he went out to hunt in the woods, but staying caged the whole day, he was starving with hunger and thirst. For hunting, he went at the banks of a pond and started making a camp near the tree of Bel. There was a Shiva Linga under the Bel tree, which was covered with leaves of Bel. But, the hunter did not know about it.

While making a camp, the twigs he was breaking, accidentally fell on the Shiva Linga. This way, fast of hunter was concluded as he did not eat anything and leaves of Bel were also offered to Shiva Linga.

After the phase of night got over, one pregnant doe, reached the pond to drink water. As the hunter positioned the arrow on the bow and got ready to disembark, the deer said “I am pregnant. I will soon have my delivery. you will kill two lives together, which is not a correct thing. After giving birth to my child, i will soon come to you. Then you can kill me.”Hunter loosed this bow, and the doe got lost in the bushes.

On loosing the prey, his mind got disturbed. He got tensed, as the last phase of night was getting over. At that time, one doe with her children was passing from there. It was a golden opportunity for the hunter. He did not take time to place the arrow on the bow, then the doe said “O! hunter, I will return back after sending these children to their father. Don’t kill me at this time.”

Hunter laughed and said, “I am not a fool, that I will leave the hunt in front of me. Before this I had lost my prey for two times. My children might be starving with hunger and thirst.”

Answering him, the doe said, “like your love for your children is making you worried, similar is the case for me. So, am asking for the lease of life, just for my children. Hey! hunter, believe me, I promise to return immediately after i leave them, to their father.”

On hearing the words of doe, hunter felt pity on her. And, he the doe. Due to the lack of prey, the hunter sitting on Bel tree, started plucking the leaves of Bel and dropped them down. As the dawn came in, a strong dear came on the same path. Hunter had thought, he would kill this prey for sure.

Looking at the bow and arrow of the hunter, deer said in a pleading voice, “Hey brother hunter! If you have killed the three doe and their small children, who passed the way before me, then, don’t delay in killing me. So, that I don’t have to suffer the pain of separation because I am the husband of those does. And, if you gave them the lease of life, then, please, grant my life for sometime. I will present myself in front of you, after meeting them.

On the night of fast, doing Jagran and offering Bel leaves, filled the violent heart of hunter with love and emotions. Bhagwad power grew in him. Bow and arrow from his hand were comfortably removed. By the grace of Lord Shiva, his violent heart was filled with emotions. He started remembering his past activities and began to burn in the flame of remorse.

After sometime, the deer with his whole family, came to the hunter so that he could hunt the deer and his family. But, looking at the bonding, love, purity and such a truth among wild animal, made hm feel guilty. Tears started rolling down from his eyes. By not killing that deer family, the hunter moved his heart from killing living beings, and became soft and kind hearted.

All deity in the heaven were looking at this incident. after the culmination of this incident, the Gods, showered flowers. Then, the hunter and family of deer attained salvation.