Maha Shivaratri is a famous Hindu festival celebrated each year in reverence of Lord Shiva. In 2020 Shivratri would be celebrated on Friday 21st February. Maha Shivratri Festival is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun. Devotees observe fast all through the day and night of Shivratri in honor of Lord Shiva and pay a visit to Shiva temples. A ritual bath of Shiva A lingam with milk, water, honey, etc is also performed by the devotees as a part of the Maha Shivratri tradition. Many believe that the Shivratri Festival marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. However, according to some legends, it was on the auspicious night of Shivratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation, and destruction.

Auspicious time and Shubh Muhurat for Puja Timings on Maha Shivratri:

Nishita Kaal Puja Time = 12:15 AM to 01:05 AM
Duration = 0 Hours 50 Minutes
On 22nd, Maha Shivaratri Parana Time = 06:55 AM to 03:33 PM
Ratri First Prahar Puja Time = 06:26 PM to 09:33 PM
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time = 09:33 PM to 12:40 AM
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time = 12:40 AM to 03:48 AM
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time = 03:48 AM to 06:55 AM
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins = 05:20 PM on Feb 21
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends = 07:02 PM on Feb 22

This is a festival celebrated all over India. This day is considered to be extremely auspicious and people who observe the maha fasting on this day are said to get freed of all their sins. The planetary positions on the night of Shivratri are such that they can enormously benefit your spiritual and physical well-being when certain procedures are followed. The major festival marks overcoming darkness and ignorance in life, and as such, it is observed by remembering Shiva, chanting prayers and practicing yoga, fasting and contemplating ethics and virtues of honesty, restraint, and forgiveness. Know more about Maha Shivratri, click here.