Maha Shivaratri Date, Rituals & Story
Festival Dates, Festivals 0 Comments
Maha Shivratri Dates
Rituals & Shivaratri Stories
Shiva drank poison, the Earth saw a new light
Maha Shivaratri: Start of a new season
Shivaratri Dates from 2026 to 2100
Hindu mythology is built around the philosophy of three Gods that constitute the universe. The concept of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar are well illustrated in our ancient Puranas. The Trinity is thought of to be the ultimate force that guides the whereabouts of the universe.
While Lord Brahma is accounted for the creation of this vast universe, Vishnu is considered to be the operator of the same. In comparison, Shiva or Maheshwar is personified as a more destructive entity. Shiva is said to be the force that initiates destruction.
Mahadev, as Shiva is widely known, opens his third eye, which emits raging aura to destroy all that comes its way. It is said that Maha Shivaratri is the festival dedicated to the sustenance of peace.
Let us dive into the deep Hindu philosophy to figure out the main reason behind the celebration of this epic festival.
Maha Shivaratri 2020 - Friday, February 21
Maha Shivratri 2021 - Thursday, March 11
Maha Shivaratri 2022 - Tuesday, March 1
Maha Shivratri 2023 - Saturday, February 18
Maha Shivaratri 2024 - Friday, March 8
Maha Shivaratri 2025 - Wednesday, February 26
Maha Shivaratri 2019 - Monday, March 4
In terms of the lunar calendar, every 14th day i.e., on Chaturdashi of each lunar month is a Shivaratri. However, only once a year, a bigger celebration is conducted, and the celebration is termed as the Maha Shivaratri or the Great Night of Shiva.
The Hindus mark this festival as a ceremony for celebrating the power of Lord Shiva and dedicate this night in honor of the universal entity. According to the Hindu calendar, Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the new moon day in the Hindu month of Maagha.
During this festival, devotees observe a night-long fast and do the abhisheka with milk and water to the Shivalinga by chanting Shiva Stotras & Lingashtakam and next morning break their fast with the prasad, which often turns out to be Bhaang or Thanai. One of the most popular reasons behind the celebration of this occasion is Shivas marriage to Parvati.
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In Hindu mythology, Samudra Manthan happens to be one of the biggest reasons why Mahashivaratri came into existence. According to the legend, during a war between the gods and devils, one incident posed an enormous threat to life on Earth.
One day, it was found that the oceans are getting filled with large pools of poison, which could potentially destroy marine life on the planet. Gods were helpless and didnt know the possible way to get rid of this massive danger. When all the ways were closed, they reached Kailash; habitat of Lord Shiva and asked for his help.
Shiva, without wasting any time, went ahead and drank the entire poison present in the seas. The most interesting part is that he never swallowed the poison; instead, he stored the same in his throat. This incident also earned him the title of Neelkantha or the Blue Throated Being.
Some Puranas claim that the entire world was delighted by this extraordinary effort by Lord Shiva to save the world, and they started celebrating Mahashivaratri the very day when Shiva sucked out the poison from ocean beds.
There is another story behind the origin behind the emergence of Mahashivaratri as a popular festival. Once, a tribal man was lost in the jungle at night. Worried by the threat of wild animals he climbed on a wood apple tree. To keep himself awake, he plucked one leaf at a time and dropped in below the plant. The next morning, he realized that he had been dropping the leaves on a Shivalinga. Shiva, on the other hand, was pleased by the tribal persons overnight worship and granted him blessings. Just after the occasion, quite surprisingly each tree is filled with flowers, marking the start of the new life-cycle, as if Lord Shiva blesses the world with fertility and prosperity.
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Maha Shivaratri 2026 - Sunday, February 15
Maha Shivaratri 2027 - Saturday, March 6
Maha Shivaratri 2031 - Thursday, February 20
Maha Shivaratri 2032 - Wednesday, March 10
Maha Shivaratri 2035 - Thursday, March 8
Maha Shivaratri 2036 - Monday, February 25
Maha Shivaratri 2040 - Sunday, March 11
Maha Shivaratri 2042 - Tuesday, February 18
Maha Shivaratri 2044 - Saturday, February 27
Maha Shivaratri 2051 - Saturday, March 11
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Maha Shivaratri 2070 - Monday, March 10
Maha Shivaratri 2079 - Wednesday, March 1
Maha Shivaratri 2084 - Sunday, March 5
Maha Shivaratri 2089 - Thursday, March 10
Maha Shivaratri 2097 - Tuesday, March 12