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Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Columbus, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha is observed as Masik Shivaratri or Masa Shivaratri and staunch devotees of Lord Shiva observe fast and worship Shiva Linga on all Shivaratris in the year. In a year there are usually twelve Shivaratri days.
Shivaratri which falls during Shravana month is known as Sawan Shivaratri. As whole Shravana month is dedicated to perform Shiva Puja, Masa Shivaratri during Sawan month is considered highly auspicious. However, the most significant Shivaratri which is known as Maha Shivaratri falls during February or March which corresponds to Phalguna month according to North Indian calendar.
Famous Shiva temples in North India, Kashi Vishwanath and Badrinath Dham arrange special Pujas and Shiva Darshan during Sawan month. Thousands of Shiva devotees visit Shiva shrines during Sawan month and perform Gangajal Abhishekam.
Sawan Shivaratri is more popular in North Indian states - Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar where Purnimanta Lunar Calendar is followed. In Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu where Amanta Lunar Calendar is followed Sawan Shivaratri corresponds to Ashadha Shivaratri.
One day before Shivaratri Vratam, most likely on Trayodashi, devotees should eat only one time. On Shivaratri day, after finishing morning rituals devotees should take Sankalp (संकल्प) to observe full day fast on Shivaratri and to take food on next day. During Sankalp devotees pledge for self-determination throughout the fasting period and seek blessing of Lord Shiva to finish the fast without any interference.
On Shivaratri day devotees should take second bath in the evening before doing Shiva Puja or visiting temple. Shiva Puja should be done during night and devotees should break the fast next day after taking bath. Devotees should break the fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to get maximum benefit of the Vrat. According to one contradictory opinion devotees should break the fast only when Chaturdashi Tithi gets over. But it is believed that both Shiva Puja and Parana (पारण) i.e. breaking the fast should be done within Chaturdashi Tithi.
Sawan Shivaratri is also spelled as Shravana Shivratri. Hariyali Amavasya, another auspicious day during Sawan month, falls one or two days after Sawan Shivaratri day.
Lord Shiva is worshipped on Maha Shivaratri day. It is believed that Lord Shiva was born as Linga at midnight on this day. Lord Shiva is worshipped in all the four Prahar of the night on Maha Shivaratri. Nishita Kaal Puja Time for Maha Shivaratri is given on this page.
Lord Shiva is one of the three main deities worshipped in Hinduism, namely Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesha, who are collectively known as Trimurti. Lord Shiva is the destroyer of the universe and is also known by the names of Bholenath, Lord Shankara, etc.
Lord Shiva Aarti is provided with lyrics and recitation video. It's a widely known and melodious Aarti dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Lord Mahadev Aarti is given with lyrics and recitation video. It is a very popular Aarti dedicated to the Mahadeva form of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva Chalisa is provided with lyrics and recitation video. Devotees of Lord Shiva recite this Chalisa to please Him and seek His blessings.
Om Namah Shivaya i.e. the Mula Mantra of Lord Shiva is the most powerful Mantra of Lord Shiva. Om Tryambakam, the death defeating Mantra of Lord Shiva. Om Tatpurushaya, the Rudra Gayatri Mantra of Lord Shiva are few powerful Mantra to please and seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
108 Shiva Names mentioned in Shakta Pramod Grantha are the most popular 108 Names of Lord Shiva. Each name when combined with Om Namah becomes independent Mantra in itself and can be used for chanting as well as to perform Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali Homa.
A detailed Shodashopachara Shiva Puja Vidhi dedicated to Lord Shiva is provided. In the presented Puja Vidhi, all the sixteen steps of Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi including Dhyana, Avahana, Padya, Arghya, and Achamaniya are described with Mantras.
The special Shivaratri Puja Vidhi is described step by step according to the scriptures. The Parthiv Shivalinga Pujan is also described. The day of Shivaratri is highly important for the devotees of Lord Shiva.
All Masik Shivaratri that occur during a year are listed. According to the Hindu calendar, Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of every month is celebrated as Masik Shivaratri. Devotees of Lord Shiva observe a one-day fast on this occasion.
All Mondays or Somwar which fall during Shravan month are considered highly auspicious for fasting to seek blessing of Lord Shiva and known as Shravan Somwar. Most states follow regional calendars due to which dates of Sawan Somwar might differ by 2 weeks.
Pradosh Vrat, also known as Pradosham in South India, is observed to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. According to the Hindu calendar, this fast is observed on the Trayodashi Tithi of both Shukla and Krishna Paksha of the lunar month. Pradosham days for whole year are listed on this page.
Various types of Lord Shiva Rangoli designs and Shiva Linga Rangoli designs are given. The method of making beautiful Rangoli is also described step by step through pictures. With the help of these pictures, one can make Rangoli very easily.
Shiva Ramashtakam is given with lyrics and recitation video. It is a very melodious and effective Ashtakam dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Shri Shiva Ashtottarashatanama Stotram is given with lyrics and video. Reciting this Stotram is considered to be very auspicious and fruitful.
Maha Shivaratri Greeting Cards with pictures of Shiva Mukha Lingam, Swayambhu Shiva Lingam Abhishek, Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash and Shiva Grinding Bhang are given. You can send Maha Shivaratri greetings to your loved ones through these beautiful pictures.
