Maha Shivratri 2020 is one of the major Hindu festivals. People all around the world are known to celebrate this festival with huge pomp and show. Many people who don’t even follow the Hindu religion but are ardent followers of Lord Shiva are said to be Maha Shivratri follower. Maha Shivratri should not be confused with Shiv Ratri. Shiv Ratri is the Hindu festival which is seen in every month of the year around 13-14th. But Maha Shivratri is precisely celebrated in Phalgun or Maagh month of the Hindu calendar. This celebration is said to be the beginning of the spring season.
People in large numbers are seen visiting temples, observing fasts, singing chants and celebrating Maha Shivratri with huge enthusiasm. People are known to offer sweets, milk, flower, holy leaves, holy water to the Shiv Linga.
Maha Shivratri is considered to be extremely auspicious in Hindu mythology. Maha Shivratri is considered to be a festival where the victory of light over darkness is celebrated. Here the cycle of life is celebrated and if you chant shiv mantras then you will understand that life is all about death. And thus everything around you is as mortal as you are.
Maha Shivratri 2020 Celebrations
The festival has got its relevance across different age groups and it is widely celebrated all across the country. In Kashmir, this festival is known as Herath and is one of the major festivals celebrated among Kashmiri Hindus. Nepal is one of the major Hindu nations where Maha Shivratri is celebrated on a wide scale. Nepal observes the national holiday on Maha Shivratri. Other than these many other countries where the Hindu population is significant like – Indonesia, Malaysia, Dubai, Mauritius the festival is celebrated with equal excitement.
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Maha Shivratri : Legends
There are many legends associated with why the festival is celebrated. Many believe that thousands of years ago, Gods and demons in heaven decided to see what’s inside the ocean and they planned to distribute it among themselves. But when the ocean was churned which is also called as Samudra Manthan, then an enormous pot full of poison emerged from the ocean. Seeing this pot all the Gods and demons were terrified and all of them rushed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva saw no other way out and decided to consume the poison. The poison was extremely strong and thus Lord Shiva’s throat turned blue and that’s why he is called “Neelkanth”.
Many people also believe that Maha Shivratri was the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. And thus this day is celebrated among newlyweds and all the married women as the day of association. All of them observe fast and pray for the long life of their husbands and also the prosperity of their family members. Goddess Parvati is also worshipped on this day. Goddess Parvati is considered to be one of the most blessed wives and thus married ladies seek blessings from Goddess Parvati for a blissful married life.
Lord Shiva is considered to be a perfect husband as per the Hindu mythology. And thus young girls worship Mahadev on this day so that they are also blessed with a husband like Lord Shiva.
All the devotees who observe the fast on Lord Shiva don’t consume anything. Many of them don’t even touch a drop of water. But many old age people are known to consume tea and fruits. It differs from person to person that what does he wants to consume and there are no such strict rules about the same.
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Maha Shivratri 2020
In the year 2020, Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on 21st February which is a Friday. On this day many places will be closed and thus people all over the country will be seen enjoying the festival. You will see people right from the morning are busy performing bath and then wearing new clothes and visiting the temples. The temples are also decorated with flowers and garlands and you will hear devotees singing praises of Lord Shiva. Ardent devotees of Lord Shiva are known to stay awake all night and sing praises. This is known as “Jagraata”. Many people are seen paying visits to Jyoti Lingams on this auspicious day and offering their prayers.
Devotees are seen praying with Rudraksha in their hands. It is said that if you pray to Lord Shiva with Rudraksha in your hands then your prayers will definitely be answered.
Lord Shiva was known to be a regular consumer of Marijuana. And thus you can see many Shiv devotees consuming Marijuana on this day. Also, drinking thandai which is a special kind of milk is also very common on Shiv Ratri.
Maha Shivratri 2020 Timings :
Below is the detailed timing for all the Maha Shivratri followers –
- Maha Shivaratri Parana Time will be 6:49 am to 3:33 pm.
- Ratri First Prahar Puja Time = 6:28 pm to 9:33 pm
- Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time = 9:33 pm to 12:38 am
- Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time = 12:38 am to 3:44 am
- Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time = 3:44 am to 6:49 am
The Nishita Kaal puja which is said to be the main puja timing in case of Maha Shivratri is 12:14 A.M. to 1:03 A.M. This the time when the main Puja is performed and the puja duration is of 49 minutes.
Let us know in the comments down below how are you planning to celebrate your Maha Shivratri this year. We would love to hear back from you in the comments down below. Don’t forget to also upload your photos here.
