Maha Shivratri 2025: Fasting time, rules, rituals, mantras, how to perform puja to please Lord Shiva

Maha Shivratri, a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, will be observed on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Celebrated on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalguna, the festival holds spiritual significance for devotees, who observe fasts and perform special puja rituals to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivratri 2025 Puja Rituals

Devotees follow a series of rituals on this day to honor Lord Shiva. Here are the key steps involved in the puja:

Cleansing: Devotees take a bath and wear clean clothes before starting the puja. The space for the puja is also cleaned and prepared.


Puja Setup: A wooden plank is placed, holding an idol or image of Lord Shiva, a Shiva Linga, or a Shiva Yantra, adorned with flowers, leaves, and fruits.

Offering: Offerings include fruits, milk, honey, bael leaves, bhang, and dhatura, which are considered auspicious.

Abhishekam: One of the main rituals is the Abhishekam of the Shiva Lingam. Devotees perform this ritual with five sacred items: milk, curd, honey, sugar powder (boora), and ghee while chanting mantras.

Mantra Chanting: Mantras such as the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra and "Om Namah Shivaya" are chanted for divine blessings. Other prayers like Shiva Chalisa and Shiva Sahastranama can also be recited.

Aarti: The puja concludes with aarti, where a lamp is lit and waved before the deity. The "Jai Shiv Omkara" aarti is commonly sung during this ritual.

Maha Shivratri Fasting Rules

Devotees observe different types of fasting based on their devotion and health conditions:

Nirjala Fast: A complete fast without food or water, observed by those with strong determination and physical stamina.

Falahar Vrat: This fast allows the consumption of milk, fruits, nuts, and dry fruits. Some devotees opt for a partial fast by consuming light vegetarian meals prepared without grains or pulses, using items like potatoes and rock salt.

Maha Shivratri Preparation for the Fast

Ensure adequate rest before the fast and consume a balanced meal with fluids, fruits, and vegetables the night before.

Set spiritual goals for the fast, focusing on inner peace, devotion, and self-discipline.

Mantras for Maha Shivratri

Om Namah Shivaye..!!

Om Trayambhakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam Urvarukmiv Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Ma Maritat..!!

Reading scriptures like the Shiva Purana.

Maha Shivratri is an occasion for devotion, fasting, and spiritual reflection, marking a significant day for Lord Shiva’s devotees.