Maha Shivaratri dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the most significant Hindu festivals and is celebrated by his devotees across the globe. The auspicious day is of special significance because it marks his martial union with Goddess Parvati , who is also referred to as Shakti.
Meaning Shiva’s night, Maha Shivaratri falls on Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in month of Magha in the South Indian calendar or the Amavasyant Hindu lunar calendar. However according to North Indian calendar or the Poornimant lunar calendar, Maha Shivaratri is the Masik(monthly) Shivaratri in month of Phalguna. If we were to go by the Gregorian calendar, the day falls on February 13 and extends until February 14.
Here’s taking a look at the Maha Shivaratri 2018 Puja Timings, Tithi and Vidhi:
Maha Shivaratri 2018 Tithi:
According to Drikpanchang.com, the Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 10:34 PM on February 13th and ends at 00:46 AM on February 15th.
Maha Shivaratri 2018 Puja Timings:
The best time to do Puja on Mahashivaratri is known as the Nishikant Kaal Puja. This is that time when the Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared on earth in the form of a Shiva Linga. This year, the Nishita Kaal Puja time is between 12:09 AM to 01:01AM. The puja duration is spread over 51 minutes only.
Maha Shivaratri 2018 Prahar timings:
First Prahar Puja Time = 6:05 PM to 9:20 PM (Feb 13th)
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time = 9:20 PM to 12:35 AM.
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time = 12.25 AM to 3.49 AM.
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time = 3.49 AM to 7.04 AM.
Maha Shivaratri 2018 Parana Timing is as follows:
7:04 AM to 3:20 PM.
Maha Shivaratri Puja Vidhi
*Take bath before doing Puja or visiting a temple.
*Purify home and puja area by sprinkling Gangajal.
*Light a brass or an earthen lamp.
*Sit down with your eyes closed and invite Lord Shiva to accept your offerings. (You or your family priest can do the Pran Pratishthan by invoking the God in your idol).
*Now, do abhishek with water on Shiv Linga or Shiva’s Moorti. Chant ‘OM’ or ‘OM Namah Shivaya’ while doing the Abhishek.
*Then do Abhishek with Milk, Dahi, followed by Honey, Ghee (clarified butter) and water again.
*Use a fresh piece of cloth to gently wipe the Shiv Linga or Idol.
*Use the sacred ash (Vibhuti) or bhasm and make a Tripundra on the Lord’s Forehead or on the Shiv Linga. (The Tripundra is the three famous horizontal mark).
*Put a Chandan tika in the centre of the horizontal line in the middle. And then add kumkum teeka. Add Bel or Vilva leaves and flowers.
*Light incense sticks and dhoop.
*Then offer fruits and dry fruits to the God.
*Then chant the Shiva Chalisa or the 108 names of Lord Shiva or any simple Shiva Mantra.
Meditate for a while.
Conclude the Puja by singing the Shiva Aarti.