The Shivaratri fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Every year devotees observe Maha Shivaratri fast with devotion and sincerity. Though many go on a diet of fruits and milk, some do not consume even a drop of water all through the day and night of the Shivaratri festival.
Merits of Shiva Ratri Fast
According to Hindu mythology, observance of mahashivratri vrat with discipline helps a devotee to control the two great natural forces that afflict man, rajas guna (the quality of passionate activity) and tamas guna (the quality of ignorance). When a devotee spends an entire day at the feet of the Lord and worships with sincerity, his mind is controlled and evils like lust, anger and greed (born of rajas) are subdued. When a devotee observes a waking vigil throughout the night (jaagran) he conquers the evils of tamas guna as well. It has also been mentioned in the scriptures that when a devotee observes a round of worship every three hours, the Shivaratri Vrata becomes perfect.
[wp_ad_camp_1]
Devotees of Lord Shiva consider Shivaratri fast to be extremely auspicious, greater than performing an ashwamedha yagna. Devotees who observe a fast on Shivaratri with sincerity and utter the name of Lord Shiva (om namah shivaya) with perfect devotion are absolved from all sins. Such devotees reach the abode of Lord Shiva and live there happily for all time. Such a devotee is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
Customs and Traditions of Shivaratri Fast
As a tradition, devotees who are on a strict fast on Shivaratri take bath with water that is boiled with black sesame seeds to wash away bodily impurities. After putting on fresh new clothes, a devotee visits the nearest Lord Shiva temple to perform the ritual bathing of the Shiva Linga with milk, honey , etc. While bathing the Lingam a devotee prays, “O Lord! I will bathe Thee with water, milk, etc. Do Thou kindly bathe me with the milk of wisdom. Do Thou kindly wash me of all my sins, so that the fire of worldliness which is scorching me may be put out once and for all.”
Following the sacred bath, the devotee applies haldi-kumkum (turmeric powder) on the lingum and places a garland of white and pink lotus flowers around it. Bel (Bilva) leaves are also placed at top of the Lingum. Aarthi and bhajans in praise of Lord Shiva are sung to invoke his blessings. Devotees also light incense sticks and ring temple bells to invoke the blessing of the soft-hearted Lord Shiva.
It may be noted that unlike most other festivals, where after performing the puja of the deity a feast follows, a Shivratri fast continues all through the day and night. Devotees observe an all night vigil while chanting the mantra, “Om Namah Shivaya” and singing devotional hymns and songs. Even during the night, the Shiva Lings is given a holy bath every three hours. An offering of fruits is also made to the deity. There is also the tradition to listen to the recital of various legends and stories related to Shivaratri and Lord Shiva and to understand their deeper meanings. It is only at the following morning that a devotee breaks the fast by consuming the prasad offered to Lord Shiva.
A shivarathri fast must not be done only on Mahashivarathri but every week for self purification. Vasana control is not easy to practice, devotion to Lord Shiva and this practice can make it very pertinent and beneficial. Om Nama Shivaya
Very very intresting. I am a devotee of Lord Shiva and I am very much pleased to view this article. I thank you one and all.
This article is mainly about what people do on Mahashivrathri. But what is Mahashivrathri? Is it the birthday of Lord Shiv?
Very interesting post with interesting information, thank you. If we want fast in other occasions we may fast on every trayodashi tithi and perform Linga abishekam. This tithi is very auspicious for Lord Shiva pujas and fasting.
Om Namah Shivaya.
this article helps me to enrich my divine knowledge thank you
very gud article but should come atleast 10 days before the event, also should be more detailed like something more on shiva parvati all jyotirlingas, how they celbrate ,how different parts of india celebrates mahashivratri how kashmiri celebrates etc etc.
Very interesting post with interesting information, thank you. If we want fast in other occasions we may fast on every trayodashi tithi and perform Linga abishekam. This tithi is very auspicious for Lord Shiva pujas and fasting.
thank you so much for this very useful information. i am a devotee of lord shiva and very happy to see these kind of articles. om nama shivaya
Very much inspiring to see the massive Shiv Linga. Thanks for the Information.Let wisdom of God be with us all the time.
I am very thankful to one and all for the article. But I wanted to know how and from whom this vrata has started.Pathana of Mruthunjaya Mahamantra gives very success in our daily life. “Oum Mruthunjayaya rudraya neelakhanthaya shambhave, Amrutheshaya sharvaya mahadevaya te namaha”
I have read and heard that kumkum is not applied on LINGAM. So please clarify if it can be applied without any harm.
Thanks
good informative article thank you
Visit the west indies and observe how
Spiritual they perform shiva Rath
All day and night
Lines of devotees offering milk honey and all fruits
Devotees have the right to offer to lord
Shiva and pray for them self
Casting out the bad quality
Shiva ratri is a day in Hindu Calendar to work for tyaga and dhyana and arcana .Lord siva is best for these features. He has things on him which no body desires. He meditates to derive energy still he is alert to protect the lokas. He wants people to skip seep and attachments to food and such sukhas at least a day in a calendar year of 365 days. There are many vibhavas which inspire humans in him. Siva is known as Bhola Sankar ready to give whatever asked including his atmalinga. hard to find a deity of that order. So sivaratri is a tool for self upliftment. Om namah sivaya sivabhyam namah.
Madhwa community celebrates Shivaratri by worshiping Shiva with his consort Parvathi, a special day because he drank poison given by Sri Mukhyaprana after filtration to save all the living beings from destuction. from there on he is called as Neelakata. Shiva is also called as MahaRudra Devaru and with the special power controls the mind of all living beings and their activities on this earth hence everybody has to pray for his blessings
this is narrated in Vedas
i like having more hand Shiva photo
Keeping the fast for any God/Goddesses without purification of mind will never add any value to the life. The purification of mind comes only when we meditate 24hours a day, even in rest room and sleep. Just by thinking good and trust in God can purify your soul. People who could not fast because of health condition and scared of staying hunger should not feel low. Your meditation does not require you to fast or full stomach, it is a state of mind.
who am i to comment on this precious subject…….BHARATH is so blessed
Dear sir,
Thank you very much for giving very good information about Maha Sivarathri brut ham,and fast.
Ohm Namasivaya
Namaskaram.
Lalitha.K
LORD SHIVA’S NAME IS FOR SACRIFICE, DEVOTION ,KINDNESS, COMPASSION AND TEACHES US TO LEARN ALL THESE QUALIIES TO BE FREE FROM ALL VASANAS.
I am diabetic. How can I fast all day?
On Namah Shivaya.
Observanceof Vratham on Maha shivaratri ,as I understand, is nothing bur SELF PURIFICATION
by chanting OM NAMASHIVAYA seceral times, as much as u can on the whole night for all 4 columsn when Lord shiva linga is given Abishekam to be watched and prayed throughout without any breke,yield self control of all part of a person.
and further rejuvenation and total clearnc of all
sins if nay created by knwoingly or unknowlingly
OM NAMSIVAYA :SIVAYA NAMAHA:
A very useful article with fund of information.
It is very important to worship Siva on this day with fasting.Now in Tamilnad temples many people are offering foods to devotees in the name of PRASD.This process goes at mid night.At this time only LINGA avirbagh(formation of Linga) happens.
The learned should edugate temple authorites to stop distribution of eatables at least in temple premises.Premises also will be clean.
This article is really very helpful for me for observing the fast of Mahashivratri and wish u a very happy and auspicious Mahashivratri to all the devotees and my brothers who are following are observing this fast
could you please explain why you use the word “mythology”
when referring to the story of Lord Shiva?
i find the same word when referring to the Mahabarata. The Bhavwad Gita.. we have solid evidenence these are not “myth”
i would appreciate a comment.
Thanks
Fasting is most important act in promoting health.To invoke
Shiva in this most beneficial act gives a divine glow to it.
May all living beings live a healthy life!
Haldi & Sindhuur r not to b pasted on Lingam holy scripures mention pl. clarify
Good exposition indeed.
Om Namasivaya, Svarathri a Great day of all hindus, regarding fast in the name of Lord Siva is always peace making and elevate us towards God
Oum Namshivaya. I am very thankful to one and all giving so many information
Advise how to start diet for a person for the first time in his life. Born grown and at what stage he should start……
This article is about what people observe on the day of shivaratri but what is the purpose of doing abishekam with milk, curd, cane juce and doing all such things. explain all
Om nama shivaya
Response re: chandie says:
March 7, 2016 at 2:34 am
could you please explain why you use the word “mythology”
The appropriate word is religious history from the narrated tradition – itihas. Mythology smacks of Eurocentric racial bias – the +stian theologian St. Augustine? not sure of the name, calculated the age of earth after creation as 4000 years in the 12 – or 1300 – Ignorance was bliss.
Purpose of Abhishek with milk etc.: First is the offering itself as a mark of devotion – what is dear to me I offer to the Lord. All procedures of devotional worship is based on how you would welcome if the Diety came to your house. In the case of Lord Shiva – his long intense meditation for the welfare of the world makes even his subtle body hot – Abhishek with liquids cools his subtle body , makes his eyes open to see the devotee. A wellknown saying goes -Shiva Abhishekapriyah – likes this as the best form of worship
Hindus worship Lord Shiva or Shankara devotedly to gain some benefits. Shivratri comes in every month but it is “Maha” (Great) in the month of Magha (Maha).Depending upon Amawasyant or Purnimant month tradition in various parts of India, Mahashivaratri is celebrated on different days. Shiva is Mahadev and Ajanma too. All stories related to Mahadev are for inspiration to devotees to lead ultimately a pious life. Saam / Daam / Dand / Bhed are necessary in all such stories in sciptures of all religions. As time passes stories have been modified. Same with the rituals.
Mahadevji is idolised in two ways. Linga-Yoni and Human form (mostly with Mata Parvati by his side or as Nataraj). Linga-Yoni signifies (from Kalash to Linga and going to earth) water+little milk Jaladhara helps to get various produces Pruthvimata gives to us. It is just symbolic to honour The Almighty.
Now-a-days Linga is treated like human form and decorated with Dhoti , Upvastra etc.
True devotion is more imporant than Decorations. Hope people’s minds don’t get distracted and Wastage of commodites (like Milk) is avoided.
Praying to Mahadevji to guide us to lead pious life.
I use to fast on Pradhosha which falls on once in fifteen days for the past few years and I feel healthy even at the age of 60.Also I use to fast on Sivrathri every year.
Spreading the ritual procedures will be most useful.
Hara Hara Mahadeva, Om Namah Shivaaya,
A nice article on Shivarathri. Jagaran, Fasting, Abhishekam and Rudra mantra pathana are to be observed to invoke the blessings of the Manoniyaamaka Rudra Mahadev who blesses the devotee immediately who is also a Karuna Saagara. This practice is observed by everybody who believes what is prescribed in the scriptures to invoke the blessing of the Lord. But in some sampradaya people like Madhwas celebrate the day without fasting and jagran and they consume food and feast on that day. Any reasons for that ?