Maha Shivaratri 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Devotees of Lord Shiva: Men and women of all ages observe this fast and night vigil to seek the grace of Mahadev, freedom from sins, and spiritual progress (Moksha).
• Unmarried Women: Young women pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for a virtuous and loving life partner (Yogya Var Prapti).
• Married Couples: Married women and couples observe the vrat for harmony, long life, and the prosperity of the family.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Sankalp: Taken after an early bath in Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn period), when the fast begins.
• Puja Muhurat: The main Shiva puja is done at night during Nishita Kaal (around midnight). Check the Nishita Kaal puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Night Vigil (Jagaran): Devotees stay awake through the night, and many also worship in each of the four prahars (watches) of the night (families differ on this).
• Breaking the Fast: The next morning, after a bath and a short prayer to Lord Shiva.

About the Festival

Maha Shivaratri is a much-loved festival celebrated across India in honour of Lord Shiva, marked by fasting, prayer, and a night-long vigil. It takes place on the Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna.

The Vrat Katha (Story of the Hunter Lubdhaka)

Once upon a time, there lived a hunter named Lubdhaka, who earned his living by hunting animals in the forest and had never performed any worship in his life. One day, he was in debt and was held back by his creditor in a Shiva temple, where he spent the whole day without food. By evening, he went into the forest in search of game and climbed a Bilva tree near a pond to wait for the animals to come and drink.

It was the night of Shivaratri. Hungry and unable to sleep, he kept awake through the night, plucking leaves of the tree and dropping them down to pass the time. Beneath the tree stood a Shivling, and without knowing it, he offered Bilva leaves and a few drops of water on it. Throughout the night, several deer came to the pond, but each pleaded to be spared so that she might first return to her family, promising to come back. Moved by their truthfulness, the hunter's heart softened and he let them go.

Seeing his unknowing devotion, the deer family returned to him as promised, and the hunter was filled with remorse for his life of violence. Lord Shiva was pleased with the night's vigil, fast, and offering of Bilva leaves, even though they had been made without knowledge. He appeared before the hunter and blessed him with purity of heart and liberation. Since that day, devotees have observed the Shivaratri fast and night vigil, believing that even a small offering made with sincerity pleases Mahadev.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the night puja:

• Shivling & Image: A Shivling (or a picture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati) and a Chowki to place it on
• Abhishek Items: Fresh water, Gangajal, raw milk, curd, honey, Ghee, and sugar (Panchamrit)
• Sacred Leaves & Flowers: Bilva (Bel) leaves, Dhatura, Aak flowers, and white flowers
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Chandan (sandalwood paste), Bhasma (sacred ash), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Fruits, dry fruits, and sweets, along with sabudana or other fasting foods for the devotee

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean clothes (white or other simple colours are preferred).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Mahadev, today I observe the Shivaratri fast and night vigil with a pure heart. Bless me with strength to complete this vow and grant me your grace."
3. Observe the fast through the day, taking only water, fruit, or milk (some devotees keep a strict fast without food or water).

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Evening)

1. Clean the puja space and place the Shivling or picture of Lord Shiva on a Chowki covered with a clean cloth.
2. Place a Kalash filled with water near the Shivling and arrange the Bilva leaves, flowers, and other puja items within reach.
3. Bathe again before the night puja and sit facing the east or north.

Step 3: Performing the Abhishek and Offerings (Nishita Kaal)

1. Abhishek: Bathe the Shivling slowly with water, then with milk, curd, honey, Ghee, and sugar, and finally with clean water again, while chanting "Om Namah Shivaya".
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Chandan and Bhasma to the Shivling and offer Akshat.
3. Offering Bilva Leaves & Flowers: Offer clean Bilva leaves with three leaflets, placing them with the smooth side down, along with Dhatura and flowers.
4. Lighting the Lamp: Light the Ghee Diya and Dhoop, and offer fruits and sweets as Naivedya.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the Shivling and recite or listen to the Shivaratri Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After the story, sprinkle the held grains and petals at the feet of Lord Shiva.

Step 5: Aarti and the Night Vigil

1. Perform the Shiv Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp, singing devotional hymns.
2. Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" or the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, using a rosary (Rudraksha Mala) if you have one.
3. Stay awake through the night with bhajans, prayers, and the remembrance of Lord Shiva (Jagaran), repeating the abhishek in each prahar if your family follows that custom.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. The next morning, bathe and offer water and a few Bilva leaves to the Shivling.
2. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
3. Break your fast by partaking in the prasad and a simple sattvic meal.