Maha Shivratri 2025 Date: Is It on 26th or 27th February? Check date & best time for four Pahar puja rituals & significance

Maha Shivratri 2025 Date: Maha Shivratri, a major Hindu festival honouring Lord Shiva, will be celebrated on February 26, 2025. This auspicious occasion, also known as the 'Great Night of Shiva,' falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna or Magha. The Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 11:08 AM on February 26, 2025, and ends at 8:54 AM on February 27, 2025. The Nishita Kaal Puja time is from 12:09 AM to 12:59 AM on February 27.

The celebrations include fasting, ritual worship, and night-long prayers, with devotees engaging in meditation and chanting to seek divine blessings and spiritual enlightenment. The Shivaratri Parana time is from 6:48 AM to 8:54 AM on February 27.

Also Read: Mahashivratri 2025: Offer these 5 things on Shivling to please Lord Shiva

??*Jai Shree Mahakal*??
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*15-02-2025 ??-?? ??? ??????*?
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Maha Shivratri 2025 Date and Time

Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on February 26, 2025. The exact timings are as follows:

• Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: February 26, 2025, at 11:08 AM
• Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: February 27, 2025, at 8:54 AM
• Nishita Kaal Puja Time: February 27, 2025, from 12:09 AM to 12:59 AM

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Maha Shivratri 2025: Four Prahar Puja Timings and Rituals

The special four-phase (Prahar) puja on Maha shivratri night involves offering different sacred elements to Lord Shiva, with each Prahar representing a different aspect and following a specific ritual. The timings for the Four Prahar Puja are:

• First Prahar: February 26, 2025, from 6:19 PM to 9:26 PM
• Second Prahar: February 26, 2025, from 9:26 PM to 12:34 AM
• Third Prahar: February 27, 2025, from 12:34 AM to 3:41 AM
• Fourth Prahar: February 27, 2025, from 3:41 AM to 6:48 AM

Also Read: Mahakumbh 2025: Last Mahashivratri amrit snan at Triveni Sangam on 26th February

During each Prahar, devotees perform specific Abhisheks (sacred bathing) for Lord Shiva＊s different forms:

• First Prahar: Abhishek with milk for Lord Shiva＊s Ishaan form.
• Second Prahar: Abhishek with curd for Lord Shiva＊s Aghor form.
• Third Prahar: Abhishek with ghee for Lord Shiva＊s Vamadev form.
• Fourth Prahar: Abhishek with honey for Lord Shiva＊s Sadyajata form.

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What are the key rituals performed during the four Pahar puja?

During Maha Shivratri, devotees perform the Four Prahar Puja to honour Lord Shiva. Each Prahar (phase) has special rituals and offerings. Here＊s what happens in each phase:

First Prahar (Evening)

• Avahana (Invocation): Inviting Lord Shiva to the puja.
• Asana (Seat Offering): Offering a seat to show respect.
• Padya (Washing of Feet): Washing the feet of the idol as a sign of purification.
• Snana (Bathing): Bathing the idol with water or Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar).
• Vastra (Clothing): Dressing the idol in new clothes.

Second Prahar (Midnight)

• Abhisheka (Holy Bath): Bathing the idol with different offerings:
• Curd〞Symbol of purity and nourishment.
• Ghee〞Represents knowledge and light.
• Pushpam (Flowers): Offering fresh flowers as devotion.
• Dhoopam (Incense): Lighting incense sticks for a divine fragrance.
• Naivedyam (Food Offering): Offering food to Lord Shiva.

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Third Prahar (Early Morning)

• Deepam (Light Offering): Lighting a lamp as a symbol of wisdom.
• Tambulam (Betel Leaf): Offering betel leaves and nuts, which are sacred in Hindu rituals.
• Aarati: Waving a light in front of Lord Shiva while singing prayers.
• Chanting Mantras: Reciting mantras and hymns in praise of Lord Shiva.

Fourth Prahar (Dawn)

• Final Abhisheka: Bathing the idol again, this time with honey, to symbolise devotion and sweetness.
• Namaskara (Salutation): Bowing down in prayer and seeking blessings.
• Visarjana (Farewell Offering): Thanking Lord Shiva for accepting the worship.

These rituals help devotees purify their hearts and minds while praying for good health, prosperity, and spiritual growth.

Maha Shivratri 2025 Significance

Maha shivratri holds great religious and spiritual importance as one of the major festivals celebrated by Lord Shiva devotees across the country. The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, marking the union of Shiva and Shakti. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on this day removes obstacles and challenges from one's life. In 2025, Maha Shivratri coincides with the last day of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, adding to its auspiciousness.

Maha Shivratri 2025 Rituals

Devotees celebrate Maha Shivratri with prayers, fasting, and meditation, seeking Lord Shiva's blessings for strength, wisdom, and spiritual growth. The day involves:

• Fasting throughout the day and night
• Offering prayers
• Performing rituals to worship Lord Shiva
• Special four-phase (Prahar) puja
• Abhishek of Lord Shiva＊s different forms with milk, curd, ghee, and honey
• Staying awake all night, meditating, and chanting.

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Maha Shivratri 2025: Rudraabhishek

Rudrabhishek is a special ritual in which the Shiva Lingam is bathed with different offerings. This puja is performed to remove suffering, wash away sins, and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. It is considered a powerful way of worship in Hinduism.

Types of Rudrabhishek

There are six main types of Rudrabhishek, depending on the offering used:

• Jal Abhishek (Water Abhishekam) 每 Done with water.
• Shahad Abhishek (Honey Abhishekam) 每 Done with honey.
• Dahi Abhishek (Curd Abhishekam) 每 Done with curd.
• Dudh Abhishek (Milk Abhishekam) 每 Done with milk.
• Panchamrit Abhishek: Done with a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.
• Ghee Abhishek: Done with clarified butter (ghee).

Items Needed for Rudrabhishek

Before starting, collect the necessary puja items:

• Diya (lamp) and cotton wick
• Ghee (clarified butter) and oil
• Flowers and white flowers
• Sindoor (vermilion) and Chandan (sandalwood paste)
• Dhoop (incense) and Agarbatti (incense sticks)
• Kapur (camphor)
• Bel Patra (sacred leaves of the Bel tree)
• Milk, Ganga Jal (holy water), and rose water

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How to Perform Rudrabhishek on Maha Shivratri 2025?

Prepare the Puja Area:

• Clean the space using Ganga Jal (holy water).
• If doing the puja at home, place the Shivling in the north direction and sit facing east.

Set Up the Deities:

• Along with Shivling, place idols of Lord Ganesh, other deities, and the Navagraha (nine planets) on a small platform in the east direction.

Begin the Puja:

• First, worship Lord Ganesh for good blessings.
• Take a pledge (sankalp), stating the reason for performing the Rudrabhishek.
• Mentally pray to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, all deities, and the Navagraha.

Bathing the Shivling (Abhishek):

• Start by pouring Ganga Jal over the Shivling.
• Perform Abhishek using the collected offerings.

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Chanting of Mantras:

This puja should ideally be done by a Pandit (priest), but devotees can also chant mantras.

Mantras to chant during Abhishek:

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra:
"Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Mamritat"

"Om Namah Shivaya" (Chant this continuously).

Final Offerings and Aarti:

• After Rudrabhishek, apply sandalwood paste to the Shivling.
• Offer Bel Patra, betel nut, paan, bhog (food), and other items.
• Light incense and lamps near the Shivling.
• Chant Lord Shiva＊s mantra 108 times and perform Aarti with the family.
• Sprinkle the Rudrabhishek water around the house for blessings, and then drink it as Prasad.

Different Rudrabhishek Offerings & Their Benefits

• For fulfilling wishes: Use milk.
• For wealth and freedom from debt: Use fruit juice.
• For removing obstacles at home: Use mustard oil.
• For success in new work: Use gram flour mixed in water.
• For protection from evil eyes & negative energy: Use black sesame seeds.
• For good health: Use ghee and honey mixed in water.
• For having children: Use honey.

Performing Rudrabhishek with devotion brings peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth. It is a sacred way to seek Lord Shiva＊s blessings and remove negativity from life.

The Shivaratri Vrat Parana (breaking the fast) is observed between 6:48 AM and 8:54 AM on February 27, 2025.

Sadhguru Invites You to Mahashivratri 2025 | 26 Feb pic.twitter.com/SCfYnjgN5S

〞 With Sadhguru (@withsadhguru) February 8, 2025

The final day of the Maha Kumbh Mela will be marked by the last Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) on Maha shivratri. This year, the Shiv Yog and Shravan Nakshatra will align on Maha shivratri.

FAQs

1. When is Maha shivratri 2025?

Answer: Maha shivratri 2025 will be celebrated on February 26, 2025.

2. What is the Chaturdashi Tithi timing for Maha shivratri 2025?

Answer: The Chaturdashi Tithi begins on February 26, 2025, at 11:08 AM and ends on February 27, 2025, at 8:54 AM.

3. What is the Nishita Kaal Puja time on Maha shivratri 2025?

Answer: The Nishita Kaal Puja, which is the most auspicious time, will be from 12:09 AM to 12:59 AM on February 27, 2025.

4. What are the Four Prahar Puja timings for Maha shivratri 2025?

Answer: Below are the Four Prahar Puja timings for Maha shivratri 2025 listed below:

• First Prahar: 6:19 PM 每 9:26 PM (Feb 26)
• Second Prahar: 9:26 PM 每 12:34 AM (Feb 26-27)
• Third Prahar: 12:34 AM 每 3:41 AM (Feb 27)
• Fourth Prahar: 3:41 AM 每 6:48 AM (Feb 27)

5. When should devotees break their Maha shivratri fast?

Answer: The Shivaratri Vrat Parana (fast-breaking) time is between 6:48 AM and 8:54 AM on February 27, 2025.

6. Why is Maha shivratri celebrated?

Answer: Maha shivratri marks the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is considered an auspicious night for spiritual awakening and divine blessings.

7. What rituals are performed during Maha shivratri?

Answer: Devotees observe fasting, night-long worship, Rudrabhishek, mantra chanting, and offer milk, honey, and Bel Patra to Lord Shiva.

8. What is Rudrabhishek, and why is it important?

Answer: Rudrabhishek is a special ritual where the Shiva Lingam is bathed with milk, honey, ghee, and other sacred offerings to seek blessings for peace and prosperity.

9. What are the benefits of worshipping Lord Shiva on Maha shivratri?

Answer: Worshipping Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri is believed to remove negativity, bring success, good health, prosperity, and spiritual growth.

10. What mantras should be chanted on Mahashivratri?

Answer: The most powerful mantras include:

"Om Namah Shivaya" (for devotion)

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for protection and well-being:
"Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Mamritat"

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