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Mahashivratri 2025: Step-by-Step Guide for Puja Vidhi and Fasting Tips

Mahashivratri 2025: Step-by-Step Guide for Puja Vidhi and Fasting Tips

Mahima Sharma / TOI Religion / Updated: Feb 24, 2025, 10:29 IST

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Maha Shivratri, honoring Lord Shiva, falls on February 26, 2025. Devotees fast, perform special pujas, and chant mantras to seek blessings. Rituals include bathing, setting up a puja, offering favorite foods, performing Abhishekam with sacred items, and concluding with aarti. Mantras like Om Namah Shivaya are chanted for spiritual grace.

Maha Shivratri 2025

Every year, the Hindu holiday of Maha Shivratri is observed in remembrance of Lord Shiva. In the Hindu month of Phalguna, which often occurs in late February or early March, it occurs on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight. In order to obtain Lord Shiva's blessings, followers keep fasts and carry out unique puja rituals on this auspicious day.

When is Maha Shivratiri in 2025?

This year, the festival of Mahashivratri 2025 will be observed on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

Maha Shivratri 2025: Puja Rituals

Here's a comprehensive guide to Maha Shivratri puja practices:
Cleansing
Take a bath to keep yourself clean and put on new and clean clothes. Choose the clean place or space, where the puja will be performed.
Puja Setup
Place a wooden plank , place an idol or portrait of Lord Shiva, a Shiv Linga, or a Shiva Yantra. Use fruits, leaves, and flowers to adorn the space.
Offering
Present Lord Shiva with his favorite foods, such as fruits, milk, and honey. Bael leaves, Bhang, Dhatura, which are lucky for this event, can also be offered.
Abhishekam
Performing Abhisheak to Shiva Lingam is one of the main and important ritual that is performed on the day of Mahashivratri. While chanting mantras, one must perform Abhishekam to Shiva lingam with five sacred items such as - Milk, Curd, Honey, Sugar Powder or Boora, and Ghee.
Mantra Chanting
Chant mantras such as Mahamrityunjaya Mantra or Om Namah Shivaya to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. You can also recite other prayers or hymns - Shiva Chalisa, Shiva Sahastranama.
Aarti
Lighting a lamp and waving it in front of the god is known as aarti, and it is performed to conclude the puja. Aarti is recited loudly and if we talk about performing Aarti to Lord Shiva then you must chant - "Jai Shiv Omkara".

Mahashivratri Fasting Tips for Devotees:

Select the kind of fasting that best fits your level of devotion and health:

Nirjala Fast

Those with strong resolve and physical stamina observe the Nirjala Vrat, a full fast without food or water.

Falahar Vrat

Devotees can observe this fast by having milk, fruits, and some items that are suitable for fasting, such as nuts and dry fruits.
Consuming light vegetarian meals devoid of grains or pulses but containing items like potatoes and rock salt is known as a partial fast.
Select a fasting strategy based on your spiritual goals and physical capabilities.

Prepare Yourself

Fasting is an exercise for the mind as much as the body. Being organized in advance can help you maintain focus.
To make sure your body is energized on the day of the fast, get enough sleep.
The night before, eat a well-balanced dinner that includes lots of fluids and fruits and vegetables.
Establish your goals for the fast, emphasizing spiritual development, inner serenity, and devotion.

Spiritual Activities

Maha Shivratri is a moment to connect with your spiritual self, not merely to refrain from eating.
Recite Shiva mantras such as "Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra" or "Om Namah Shivaya."
To clear your mind and strengthen your bond with Lord Shiva, you should meditate.
Read texts about Shiva, such as the Shiva Purana.
The spiritual advantages of fasting are increased when time is spent in prayer and introspection.

Mantra
1. Om Namah Shivaye..!!
2. Om Trayambhakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam Urvarukmiv Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Ma Maritat..!!

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