Maha Shivaratri Festival 2024
Maha Shivaratri, which literally translates to “great night of Shiva” is an Indian festival and is celebrated on the new moon day. The day is celebrated to venerate Lord Shiva, an important deity in Hindu culture. In the yogic culture, Shiva is not known only as a god, but as the Adiyogi or the first yogi – the originator of yoga. He was the one who first put this seed into the human mind.
Maha Shivratri Date In 2024
8th Mar 2024 Friday
4 Phar Mahashivratri Puja Muhurat Timing
When is Sawan starting in 2024, Sawan Dates:
Sawan Somwar Dates in 2024:
Sawan Somwar Vrat Dates for Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar | ||
| Date | Day | Sawan Start |
| 22 July | (Monday) | First Vrat of Shravana Month |
| 29 July | (Monday) | Second Vrat of Shravana Month |
| 05 August | (Monday) | Third Vrat of Shravana Month |
| 12 August | (Monday) | Fourth Vrat of Shravana Month |
| 19 August | (Monday) | Fifth (last)Vrat of Shravana Month |
South India: Sawan Somwar Vrat Dates for Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu | ||
| Date | Day | Sawan Start |
| 05 August | (Monday) | First day of Shravana Month |
| 12 August | (Monday) | Sawan Somwar Vrat |
| 19 August | (Monday) | Sawan Somwar Vrat |
| 26 September | (Monday) | Sawan Somwar Vrat |
| 02 September | (Monday) | Sawan Somwar Vrat |
| 03 September | (Tuesday) | Last day of Sawan Month |
Sawan Maha Shivratri Date In 2024
Sawan (saavan) Month’s Shivratri also known as Sharavan Maas Shivratri
Sawan MahaShivratri: 2nd August 2024 (Friday)
- Chaturdashi Tithi Begins : 2 August 2024 at 03:26 pm
- Chaturdashi Tithi Ends : 3 August 2024 at 03:50 pm
- Shivaratri Parana Time – 3 August 2024 between – 05:44 am to 03:49 pm
Legends of Maha Shivratri
There are many mythological legends associated with this day. According to a popular legend, when a hunter could not find anything to kill for his food in a forest, he waited on the branch of a Bael (wood apple) tree. In order to attract deer, he started throwing the leaves of the tree on the ground, unaware that there was a Shiva Lingam beneath the tree. Pleased with the leaves and the patience of the hunter, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in front of the hunter and blessed him with wisdom. From that day onward, the hunter stopped eating meat.
Another legend has it that after the Earth was faced with an imminent destruction, Goddess Parvati pleaded with Lord Shiva to save the world. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Shiva agreed to save the world on the pretext that the people of the Earth would have to worship him with dedication and passion. From that day onward, the night came to be known as Maha Shivaratri and people began worshiping Shiva with a great enthusiasm.
Traditional Rituals of Maha Shivaratri
Rituals: People often fast on the night of Shivaratri and sing hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva. Hindu temples across the country are decorated with lights and colourful decorations and people can be seen offering night-long prayers to Shiva Lingam. Bael (wood apple) leaves and cold water are offered to the Shiva Lingam on this day, as they are believed to be Lord Shiva’s favorite.
It is believed that the people who fast on this night and offer prayers to Lord Shiva bring good luck into their life. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva. But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva during Shivaratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He or she reaches the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
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