Mahashivratri 2025: Why is Shivratri celebrated & why is it the Great Night of Shiva?
Mahashivratri 2025, known as the great night of Shiva, is the most significant spiritual festival celebrated with devotion. It marks a time for prayer, meditation, and awakening to Shiva's divine presence.
Mahashivratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals, observed with devotion across India and many parts of the world. This special night is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered a time of spiritual awakening and divine energy. Mahashivratri 2025 will be celebrated with prayers, fasting, and rituals. It is a festival that holds deep religious and spiritual significance, offering devotees an opportunity to connect with higher consciousness. But why is Mahashivratri celebrated? Why is it called the "Great Night of Shiva"? Let＊s explore its meaning and importance.
Maha Shivratri 2025: Date, Shubh Muhurat, and Parana Timings
Maha Shivratri is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is observed every year on the 14th night of the waning moon in the month of Phalguna (February-March). In 2025, Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on 26th February.
Auspicious Timings for Maha Shivratri 2025
According to Drik Panchang, here are the key timings to keep in mind for Maha Shivratri rituals and fasting:
Event Timings
- Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: 11:08 AM on 26th February
- Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: 8:54 AM on 27th February
- Nishita Kaal Puja Time: 12:09 AM 每 12:59 AM (27th February)
- Shivratri Parana (Fast Breaking) Time: 6:48 AM 每 8:54 AM (27th February)
- First Prahar Puja Time: 6:19 PM 每 9:26 PM (26th February)
- Second Prahar Puja Time: 9:26 PM 每 12:34 AM (27th February)
- Third Prahar Puja Time: 12:34 AM 每 3:41 AM (27th February)
- Fourth Prahar Puja Time: 3:41 AM 每 6:48 AM (27th February)
On this sacred occasion, devotees observe fasts, offer prayers, and perform night-long worship of Lord Shiva. Observing these rituals with devotion is believed to bring blessings, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
What is Mahashivratri?
Mahashivratri, which means "The Great Night of Shiva," is a major festival in India＊s spiritual calendar. It falls on the fourteenth night of the lunar month, just before the new moon, typically in February or March. Unlike other Hindu festivals, which are filled with celebrations and feasting, Mahashivratri is a night of deep meditation, fasting, and worship.
Why is Mahashivratri Celebrated?
The festival of Mahashivratri is observed for several reasons. For those on a spiritual path, it is a powerful night when cosmic energies align, allowing people to enhance their inner growth. For married couples and families, it is believed to be the night when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. Meanwhile, for ambitious individuals, it marks the day when Lord Shiva conquered all his enemies.
According to yogic traditions, Mahashivratri is the night when Shiva became completely still, merging with Mount Kailash. It is believed that on this night, meditating and staying awake can help one attain higher levels of spiritual consciousness.
Why is Mahashivratri Called the Great Night of Shiva?
The name "Great Night of Shiva" comes from the idea that Lord Shiva represents the vast emptiness that holds the universe together. Shiva is not just a deity but is considered the ultimate reality that transcends creation and destruction. This night is believed to bring people closer to understanding the limitless nature of existence.
Scientifically, the northern hemisphere is positioned in a way that enhances spiritual energy on this night. The traditions of Mahashivratri encourage people to stay awake, meditate, and keep their spine straight to absorb this cosmic energy.
The Spiritual Significance of Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri holds deep meaning for spiritual seekers. It is said that everything in the universe is one energy, taking different forms. This truth, which science is now discovering, has been known to yogis for centuries. The festival offers an opportunity to connect with this ultimate reality.
Shivratri, which happens every month, marks the darkest night, but Mahashivratri is considered the most powerful among them. While darkness is often feared, in spiritual traditions, it represents the infinite. Lord Shiva, who symbolizes this boundless energy, is worshipped on this night.
How is Mahashivratri Celebrated?
On Mahashivratri, devotees observe fasting and stay awake all night, chanting prayers and meditating. Some visit temples to offer milk, water, and bilva leaves to Shiva Lingams. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on this night brings blessings and spiritual awakening. Many also practice yoga and engage in deep contemplation.
The festival is not just about religious rituals but also about self-discipline, devotion, and self-discovery. It is a night of transformation, where individuals seek to overcome their limitations and experience oneness with the universe.
Mahashivratri 2025 will be an important event for millions of devotees around the world. Whether observed as a religious festival or a spiritual practice, it offers a unique opportunity to grow, reflect, and experience the divine presence of Lord Shiva. May this Mahashivratri be a night of deep inner peace and enlightenment for all.
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Bhupinder Singh serves as a Principal Executive in Content Management, specializing in SEO content related to trending financial news, net worth of celebrities, historic events, and art and culture. His passion for cricket shines through in his work and personal interests. In his free time, Bhupinder enjoys discussing cricket legends like MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, as well as following the IPL.
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