Maha Shivratri: Date, significance, puja time and importance

Maha Shivratri 2020: Mahashivratri, also known as 'Padmarajarathri' and 'The Great Night of Shiva', is a Hindu festival which is observed annually in honour of Lord Shiva. On Maha Shivratri, the devotees worship Lord Shiva, with a strict fast and do various religious activities to please Lord Shiva. Meanwhile, the devotees also believe that by pleasing Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri, a person gets relief from the past sins and gets blessed with Moksha. Also, Maha Shivratri marks a commemoration of overcoming darkness and ignorance in life. It is said that Maha Shivaratri also marks the anniversary of the cosmic dance (Tandav) performed by the Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated on the 14th day of every month, one day before the new moon. Among 12 Shivratri's celebrated in a year, Maha Shivratri is one of the most important, generally celebrated in February or March based on the planetary position. As per Drikpanchang, Maha Shivratri is on Friday, February 21, 2020.

MAHA SHIVRATRI 2020: PUJA TIMING

• Nishita Kaal Puja Time - 12:27 am to 01:17 am, Feb 22
• On 22nd Feb, Shivaratri Parana Time - 07:03 AM to 03:47 PM
• Ratri First Prahar Puja Time - 06:41 PM to 09:46 PM
• Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time - 09:46 PM to 12:52 AM, Feb 22
• Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time - 12:52 AM to 03:58 AM, Feb 22
• Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time - 03:58 AM to 07:03 AM, Feb 22
• Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - 05:20 PM on Feb 21, 2020
• Chaturdashi Tithi Ends - 07:02 PM on Feb 22, 2020

How Maha Shivratri is celebrated?

On Maha Shivratri, the devotees usually wake up before the sunrise. After taking a ritual bath, devotees wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple and do Jalabhishek on Shivling. The Jal (water) includes six different dravyas including milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water. Some of the devotees even put some bhang on it. https://www.ptcnews.tv/germany-hanau-shootings-eight-people-killed-in-hookah-lounges-attack-en/ The story behind Maha Shivratri As per the Hindu mythology, there are several stories and belied on why we celebrate Mahashivratri. Some believes the festival marks the birth of Lord Shiva, while some believe that Shiva performed the dance of creation and destruction on this night. Also, there are some of the devotees who believe that the Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati on this day. -PTC News