Maha Shivratri is considered to be one of the most important festivals observed by Hindus across the world. Devotees keep fast, chant prayers and keep an all-night vigil on Maha Shivratri. This helps in reducing one's weight. Mahashivratri Vrat or the Shivratri Vratam is kept by the devotees in order to impress Lord Shiva. Maha Shivratri is the day when prayers and worship are given more importance. Know how to do Shivratri puja. Many people also fast on this day to show their spirit of devotion and focus. As per the Hindu scriptures, the Maha Shivratri Puja is performed four times during the night on Chaturdashi. Most people fast for the entire day. But on Shivaratri, the fast takes place throughout… This year the date falls on 11 March 2021. Maha Shivratri will be observed on March 11, 2021 and is the most significant Hindu festival to celebrate the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. However, those who are physically weak or aren't able to observe a full 24 hours fast, can consume milk, curd, fruits and sabudana kheer. Chant the name of Lord Shiva or Om Namah Shivay or MahaMruttunjay 108 times after doing the Rudra Abhishek of the Shivling. It is believed that by keeping fast on this day and worshipping Shiva, one is blessed by the Lord. In order to observe a fast and worship well, you need to follow some rules. It is also believed that whoever worships Lord Shiva on this day attains Salvation, and that by fasting on this day, one can reap the benefits of a whole year’s rigorous prayer. Sing aarti with … Though, there are no strict rules for praying to Bholenath. The Maha Shivratri fasting will start on Trayodishi Tithi with a prayer to observe a full day fast without any hindrance. For the uninitiated, Maha Shivratri means the Great night of Shiva. They do not eat during the whole day. At night, they offer prayers to the Lord and then consume food. There is no fun or merrymaking as in other Hindu festivals. Usually, during festivals, devotees break their fast after the puja is performed. While some consume only fruits and milk, there are people who observe a ' nirjala ' fast- where they do not even consume a drop of water until they open their fast. Since Maha Shivratri fast goes on for the whole day and night, devotees are forbidden from consuming anything throughout the 24 hours fast. Though a Shivratri comes every month, Mahashivratri comes only once a year during the month of Phalgun (February/March in the Gregorian calendar). Devotees perform Puja and seek blessings from Lord Shiva before completing their fasts. The day usually falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Phalguna Mass. On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, devotees observe a day-long fast and worship Lord Shiva with great ardor. Shivratri focuses on the power of meditation and spirituality. MahaShivaratri is celebrated all over India with great pompous and devotees are forever delighted to venerate Lord Shiva. Read on to know more. Here is a simple method to perform Shivratri Puja. Devotees observe fast for the whole day on Trayodashi and do Parana on the next day i.e, Chaturdashi. An important aspect of this festival is the ShivaratriVrat or Shivaraatri Fast. If you plan to fast on the day of Mahashivratri, take the sankalp of fast while doing puja in the morning.