Mahashivratri 2024: Maha Shivratri joy spreads nationwide as celebrations reach their peak

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari visited the Kalyaneshwar Shiv Temple in Nagpur, Maharashtra, today on Mahashivratri. He sought blessings at the revered temple on this auspicious occasion.

Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra visited the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi on the ocassion of Mahashivratri to seek blessings before the release of his film 'Yodha'. The visit marked a spiritual prelude to the upcoming movie launch.

Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' reverberated at major Shiv temples here on Friday as a large number of devotees thronged them to offer prayers on the occasion of Mahashivratri. Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma greeted the people of the state on the occasion. The governor offered prayers with his family at the Raj Bhawan here.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday visited Piteshwarnath Shiv Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur and offered prayers on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. During the occasion, the Chief Minister performed 'Rudrabhishek' at Gorakhnath Temple.

He performed 'Jalabhishek' on his arrival at the temple. He also prayed for the welfare and prosperity of the people of the state. CM Yogi performed Lord Shiva's 'Rudrabhishek' with cow milk and sugarcane juice in Shakti Mandir at the Gorakhnath Temple. The chief minister also performed 'havan' and 'aarti' there.

On the occasion of the Maha Shivratri Festival in Bhubaneshwar, devotees engage in 'Jal Abhishek' by performing sacred water offerings on the Shiva Linga as they offer their prayers on Friday.

In celebration of the Maha Shivratri festival, artists portraying Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati participate in a procession at Pahari Mandir in Ranchi on Friday.

Five revered Lord Shiva shrines in India include Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, nestled in the Himalayas and renowned as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Amarnath Temple, atop the Himalayan range, draws devotees to its cave housing an ice stalagmite symbolizing Lord Shiva. Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, stands as the holiest shrine on the Ganges' western bank.

Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, boasts architectural grandeur devoted to Lord Shiva. Lastly, Somnath Temple in Gujarat safeguards the moon god and holds significance as one of the foremost 12 Jyotirlingas.

Devotees enthusiastically join a religious procession in Mathura on March 8, 2024, to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri.

Actor Ekta Jain reverently prays before an ice Shivling on Mahashivratri at a Shiva temple in Mumbai, embracing the sacred festival's traditions.

On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi lit up with vibrant illumination, creating a captivating spectacle. The radiant display added a touch of divine ambience to the spiritual surroundings.

The eighth muhurta of the night is known as Nishita Kala and is arrived at by a complicated calculation. As this time frame is crucial in determining festivals and auspicious days, it is of great importance to Jyothishis and those who make panchang. Nishita time, which coincides with the breaking of the fast the following day, marks the arrival of Lord Shiva on earth as a linga during Shivaratri. The ideal time to perform Shiva pooja is during Nishita Kala. On March 09, 2024, from 12:07 am to 12:56 am, Nishita Kaal puja will be observed.

Lord Shiva is worshipped on the occasions of Shivratri and Mahashivratri, which represent different facets of his holy essence and cosmic significance. Shivratri is a monthly celebration of Shiva's cosmic dance and marriage, while Mahashivratri is an annual festival of fasting, prayer and meditation that emphasises the importance of overcoming ignorance and darkness.

On Maha Shivratri, devotees adorn themselves in new attire, while women engage in elaborate adornment rituals such as applying mehndi on their hands to commemorate this sacred festival. Clich here to explore our specially curated Mehndi designs guide, featuring versatile designs depicting Maa Parvati and Lord Shiva's devotion, a devotee's faithfulness, shlokas, the Shivling, Maa Parvati and Lord Shiva's wedding, minimal floral patterns, full-hand designs, and Indo-Western motifs.

Maha Shivratri is steeped in legends surrounding Lord Shiva, including the episode of him consuming poison during Samudra Manthan, resulting in his blue-throated depiction as Neelkantha. Another tale narrates a conflict between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, prompting Shiva to take on a fiery form. Lord Brahma's deceit in the incident led to Shiva cursing him.

Diverse celebrations include Karnataka children seeking forgiveness and Kashmiri Pandits commencing festivities ahead of Maha Shivratri to commemorate the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Click here to read four legends associated with the festival and interesting stories that we should know.

Jharkhand's CM, Champai Soren, participates in Ranchi's Shivratri celebrations, honouring the auspicious occasion with his presence.

According to Drik Panchang, the Nishita Kaal Puja Time is from 12:07 am to 12:56 am on March 9. The Shivratri Parana Time is from 6:37 am to 3:29 pm on March 9.

Nishita Kaal is a period which lasts less than an hour and falls during the midnight. Nishita Kala is defined as the 8th muhurta of the night and is a time when devotees perform puja and rituals on Shivratri. Additionally, during Shivaratri, Nishita time is when Lord Shiva appeared on the Earth in the form of Linga.

Reportedly, the temple was opened for visitors at 3:30 am. The Aarti of the first Prahar will start at 9:30 pm. The main aarti will start at 10:00 pm and end at 12:30 am. The Aarti of the second phase will start from 1:30 am on March 9 and end by 2:30 am. The Aarti of the third phase will be from 3:30 am to 4:30 am on March 9. The Aarti of the fourth quarter will continue from 5:00 am to 6:15 am in the morning.

There are a few little-known facts about Maha Shivratri. Did you know, on Maha Shivratri, neelkantha flower is a must for the puja rituals? It is believed that during Samudra Manthan, a fatal poison came up which could destroy the gods and goddesses. Seeing no option, Lord Shiva drank the poison which made his throat turn blue. He kept the poison in his throat and got the name – Neel Kantha. Hence, on the special day of Maha Shivratri, Lord Shiva is worshipped with Neelkantha flower. Learn more inside.

Shukra Pradosh Vrat, the first Pradosh vrat of March and Phalgun coincides with Maha Shivratri on March 8, presenting a double blessing opportunity for devotees seeking divine grace from Lord Shiva. Check out the auspicious timings below.

Pradosha Puja Muhurat - 06:25 pm to 08:52 pm

Duration - 02 hours 26 minutes

Day Pradosha Time - 06:25 pm to 08:52 pm

Trayodashi Tithi begins - 01:19 am on March 08, 2024

Trayodashi Tithi ends - 09:57 pm on March 08, 2024

Learn more here.

Diljit Dosanjh celebrated the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri by visiting a Lord Shiva temple. He shared pictures from the occasion on Instagram. The post shows the singer praying to Lord Shiva.

Alia Bhatt, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Adah Sharma, Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Shekhar Kapur, Kangana Ranaut, and Vivek Agnihotri, among others are the few celebrities who took to social media to extend wishes on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

On the occasion of Mahashivratri, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his prayers at the Mansarovar Temple in Gorakhpur.

The festival of Mahashivratri was celebrated with traditional fervour in Kerala on Friday as a large number of devotees of all ages thronged temples dedicated to Lord Shiva to participate in the special rituals. A huge rush of devotees was seen at many famous temples, including the Sreekandeswaram Mahadeva temple here, Vadakkunnathan temple in Thrissur, Aluva Mahadeva temple and Mahadeva temple in Vaikom, since early morning today.

Sago, millets, pumpkin, potato, makhana, Arbi, banana, yoghurt are some of the vrat-friendly foods people eat. However, one should be mindful of the cooking technique as deep-fried foods can increase chronic disease risk. Click here to find out what you should and shouldn't eat during Shivratri fast, as suggested by a Senior Nutrition and Dietetics Consultant.

The Maha Shivratri celebrations have begun nationwide, signifying a period of fasting, prayers, and offerings to honor Lord Shiva. Devotees are gathering in Shiva temples to perform rituals, pray to Lord Shiva, and seek his blessings. Click here to see how people are celebrating Mahashivratri.