On the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna, Mahashivaratri is commemorated. Mahashivratri will be celebrated on March 11 this year. Devotees worship Lord Shiva by offering milk, vegetables, bel patra, and other offerings across the country during this Hindu festival. On this day, people line up at Shiv temples to pray and fast (vrat). They perform maha abhishekam, which involves bathing Shiva Linga in milk and water. Shivaratri literally translates to “Great Shiva Night” or “Siva Night.”
Mahashivratri 2021–The Shubh Yoga
According to Acharya Indu Prakash, there will be Shiva Yoga at 9:24 a.m. on March 11. After that, Siddha Yoga will continue until 8:29 am on 12 March. Both mantras and rituals performed during Shiva Yoga are referred to as auspicious. Along with this, Dhanishtha Nakshatra will stay until 9.45 p.m.
2021 Mahashivratri: the auspicious season (Shubh Muhurat)
Date of Mahashivaratri, 11 March 2021
Mahanishith Kaal-On 11 March from 11:44 a.m. to 12:33 p.m.
Nishith Kaal Pooja Muhurta: 12:06 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. on March 11th
Duration: 48 minutes;
Chaturdashi Tithi begins: 11 March-2:39 p.m.
End of the Chaturdashi date: till 12 March-15:00 p.m.
Mashivratri 2021: History and Significance
There are many stories and legends on how Maha Shivratri came into being. According to a popular belief, Lord Shiva was drinking the poison that came out of the ocean during the Samudra Manthan between the gods and the demons. Instead of swallowing it, he kept the poison in his mouth, which made his throat turn blue. The name of Shivji ‘Neelkantha’ has been taken from this incident.
This Hindu festival is particularly important to women as they worship Lord Shiva and seek blessings for their happy married life. They wear new clothes and watch quickly. Unmarried women are seeking the blessing of a good husband. Also, it is believed that everyone who utters Shiva’s name with absolute devotion during Shivratri is free from all sins. He or she has reached the abode of Shiva and is freed from the cycle of birth and death.
2021 Mahashivaratri:
According to Acharya Indu Prakash, on Shivratri Day, one should begin to add sandalwood paste to Shivling and worship Lord Shiva. The fisherman was first bathed with Panchamrit. After this, the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ should be sung. Also, after Lord Shiva’s worship, cow dung cakes with sesame, rice, and ghee are to be burned. Then sell every fruit in its entirety. People are typically offering dried coconut. A individual can reach heaven by watching the fast, feeding the Brahmins, and donating lamps on this day.
