The festival of Shivratri is associated with Lord Shiva. Shivratri is considered as an auspicious day that fulfills all the wishes. It is celebrated in many ways. This year it will be celebrated on 02 August 2024. On the day of Shivratri, Lord Shiva can be pleased by simply offering water on Shivling with a pure heart. All the problems of the devotee are solved and they get a place in Shiv Lok. Shivratri is considered an important day to appease Lord Shiva.
Timing for JalAbhishek on Shivratri
The tradition of offering Gangajal on Shivling the entire Shravan month has existed for a long period of time. Jal Abhishek on Shivling is performed by devotees the entire Shravan month. Kavad Yatra also begins during this time. All the suffering and diseases of a devotee are eliminated when one offers Gangajal for Shiv Abhishek in this Yatra.
During this time, Puja and Anushthans are organised in Shiv temples, Jyotirlingas and all places where Shiva is worshipped. Devotees perform Jal Abhishek using Gangajal at religious places. The Shubh Muhurat for Jal Abhishek will be as follows:
early morning till afternoon is auspicious for Jal Abhishek. On this day, the time of Ardra Nakshatra and Gemini ascendant is auspicious for Shiv Puja. Apart from this the entire night of Pradosh Kaal is considered auspicious for Jal Abhishek.
- From 05:40-08:25
- From 19:28-21:30
- 21:30 – 23:33 (Nishithkaal Time)
- 23:33 – 24:10 (Mahanishithkaal Time)
Shivratri Katha
According to Shiv Purana, there was a hunter named Chitrabhanu who used to hunt animals for his living. On one such day he could not find any prey. So he decided to climb a tree and wait for his prey. He climbed onto a Bel tree and waited. He started feeling bored and so to pass time he started plucking Bel Patras. Incidentally there was a Shivling right below the Bl tree and the Bel Patras which were plucked by the hunter were falling on the Shivling. Moreover the hunter could not find any prey and remained hungry all throughout. That was not all, coincidentally that day was Shivrattri. The hunter had inadvertently observed a fast and prayed to Lord Shiva on Shivratri. This appeased Lord Shiva and the hunter received salvation.
Shravan Shivratri Pujan
- Pour a few drops of Gangajal in your bathing water.
- Wear fresh clean clothes after bath.
- Place Roli, Moli, rice, Dhoop, Deep, white Chandan, Janeu and Kalava in the Puja Thali.
- Also place yellow fruit, white sweet, Gangajal and Panchamrit in the Thali.
- All the rituals should be followed while conducting the Shiv Puja.
- A cow Ghee Deepak should be lit.
- Shiv Mantras should be recited while sitting on an Asan.
- Recite Shiv Chalisa and Shivashtak Paath.
Other forms of Shivratri
Shivratri fast is observed on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha. Chaturdashi Tithi is celebrated as Shivratri. According to ancient stories, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Shiv Ling in the middle of the night on this day. According to another story, it is believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this day. There are several stories on Shivaratri that are based on mythology. These stories prove the auspiciousness and purity of this day.
Monthly Shivratri
According to Hindu Panchang, every year Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha is celebrated as Shivratri. That’s why it is celebrated as a monthly Shivratri.
Maha Shivratri
Mahashivratri is celebrated in the Krishna Paksha Tithi of Phalgun month. According to a belief, the monthly Shivratri of Magha month is celebrated as Maha Shivratri and after Purnima the monthly Shivratri of Phalgun month is celebrated as Maha Shivratri. The differences in ideologies are only based on the Chandra month.
It is believed that on the first day Shivling Puja was performed by Lord Vishnu and Brahma Ji. This day is associated with the Udbhav of Shivling. This day is celebrated on a very large scale and it is a very important festival for the people of the Shiva community. On this day, Lord Shiva and Shivling are worshipped.
Remedies for Shivratri
The problems related to job and business are resolved by reading Shiv Chalisa on this day.
5 Adhyays of Shiv Puran should be read. All diseases are cured by reading this.
The devotee should wake up early, take a bath and wear clean clothes. The devotee should then sit on a clean surface and face the east direction. Dhoop, Deep, Safed Chandan Mala and five flowers of White Aak are used in Shiv Puja. Reciting Shiv Mantras by using a Mala 11 times kills the enemies.
Importance of Shravan Shivratri
Shivratri of Shravan month is celebrated as Shravan Shivratri. On this day Shivling Jal Abhishek is performed by using Gangajal. Kavads perform Shiv Jal Abhishek on this day. Out of all the twelve Shivratris, the Shivratri of Falgun and Shravan month are celebrated on a grand level and these are called Maha Shivratri.
It is believed that by observing fast on the Shravan Mahashivratri brings peace, safety, welfare for the devotee. The devotee also becomes healthy.
Shravan Shivratri Mahatamay
Lord Shiva can be pleased easily on Shivratri of Shravan month. It is believed that all the sins of a person are destroyed on this day. That’s why Shravan Shivratri is of great importance as all the sins of the devotee are destroyed. Bachelors get a desirable groom or bride. If the devotee is married then the love in married life improves.