Maha Shivaratri
OdiaAlso known as: Shivaratri, Mahashivratri
Maha Shivaratri
About Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Lord Shiva, is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in Falgun month (February-March). In Odisha, it is observed with night-long vigils at Shiva temples.
Devotees observe strict fasting, spending the night in prayer, chanting Om Namah Shivaya, and performing abhishekam of Shiva Lingams with milk, honey, and water.
The Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar and the Kapilash Temple in Dhenkanal are major centres of celebration. Thousands of devotees throng these temples throughout the night.
Bel leaves (three-leafed wood apple), sacred to Lord Shiva, are offered along with dhatura flowers, milk, and water. The night-long vigils include devotional songs and spiritual discourses.
Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules
Devotees observe a complete fast throughout the day and night, breaking it the next morning.
- Observe a complete fast without food or water.
- Stay awake through the night in prayer.
- Visit Shiva temples for night-long vigils.
- Chant Om Namah Shivaya throughout the night.
Parana (Breaking Fast) Note: The fast is broken the next morning after the morning puja with a vegetarian meal.
Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps
- Clean the puja area and set up the Shiva Lingam.
- Perform abhishekam with milk, honey, and water.
- Offer bel leaves and dhatura flowers.
- Light incense and earthen lamps.
- Stay awake through the night chanting prayers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Bel leaves are sacred to Lord Shiva. The three-leafed bel represents his three eyes and the three syllables of Om Namah Shivaya.
Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.
Recommended Pages
Comprehensive annual Hindu calendar with tithis and festivals.
Detailed month-wise view of lunar tithis and celestial events.
Marathi Panchang and festive dates for the year.
Gujarati Vikram Samvat calendar and festivals.
Telugu calendar and festive Panchangam details.
Tamil solar calendar dates and monthly Panchangam.