Maha Shivratri 2024: Difference between Shivratri and Mahashivratri

Maha Shivratri, one of the biggest festivals of Hindu religion is observed on day 14 of the Falgun month of the Hindu calendar. This festival is seen with devotees celebrating the Lord Shiva.

In the Shiva Purana, this day is in the honour of Lord Shiva, who destroyed the ego and battle of supremacy between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. However, another story claims that Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati on the night of Maha Shivaratri and hence, this night was in the honour of the union of Shiva and Shakti. Another Hindu text also claims that Maha Shivratri is the night when Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction. Another one of the popular beliefs associates Maha Shivratri with ‘The Legend of Neelkanth’.

Now, are Maha Shivratri and Shivratri different?
Yes, the major difference is that Maha Shivratri is celebrated once a year while Shivratri is celebrated monthly.


What is Maha Shivratri?
Mahashivratri festival is celebrated across the country with immense happiness and enthusiasm. The day of Maha Shivratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the trinity God. This day is known for the lifetimes commitment of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This was the auspicious day when both got married.

The devotees celebrate this day with great enthusiasm where all the Lord Shiva devotees stay awake the night to worship Lord Shiva, perform abhishakm, Rudrabhishekam and chant various Shiva Mantras to seek the blessings of the Lord. This is the perfect day for the devotees to attain spiritual awakening and liberation.

(With ToI inputs)