Mahashivratri 2022 – Meaning, Date and Significance and More

Mahashivratri is just around the corner.
it is one of the major festivals of Hindus. The festival is dedicated to Lord
Shiva. There is a common belief that God Shiva grants the wishes of those worshiping him on this day. God Shiva is also referred to as aughad daani who
get happy with you by a little worship. So, whether you are trying to visit
your nearest temple and say happy Maha Shivratri to your near ones you should
know about this one of the most important festivals. Here we try to know
different aspects of Mahashivratri.

Table of Contents

Meaning of Mahashivratri

The meaning of Mahashivratri can be given as
the day on which God Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It is the celebration of
his marriage. On this day people visit temples to offer worship the deity duo
Shiv-Parvati.

When is Mahashivratri 2023 – Day and Date?

Mahashivratri 2022 will be celebrated on 18
February 2023, Saturday. As per the Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated on
Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in Falgun month.

On this day God Shiva and Goddess Parvati are
worshipped with full honor.

Special Samyogs in Mahashivratri

Special samyogs or vishisht yogas are forming
this Mahashivratri. There are two good yogas are forming on Mahashivratri.

Paridh yoga will last upto 11:18 am. If you
will make plans to defeat your enemies in this yoga, you will get success. After
paridh yoga, Shiv Yoga will start which will last till 8:21am of 2 March. Shiv
Yog is good for starting auspicious works.

Abhijit and vijay muhurts are considered safe
for worship and other auspicious works.

In Mahashivratri 2022 panchgrahi yoga is also
forming.

How to do Worship on Mahashivratri – Pujan
Vidhi

As Mahashivratri or Maha Shivratri has so
much importance for Hindu devotees, it is only relevant to know how to worship
or pujan vidhi for this day. Here is the pujan vidhi.

Do abhishek of God Shiva with panchamrit
Do tilak with Chandan.
Offer belpatra, bhang, dhatura, sugarcane
juice, kamal gatta, fruits, sweets, betel (sweet), scent and clothes.
Light diya near his statue.
Offer kheer with kesar
Chant Shiv Mantra.
Insert Picture here
You can also chant ऊॅं
नम: शिवाय
OM Namo Shivay
Don’t forget to chant Shiv Aarti.

Apart from the Shiv Aarti you should also
chant Shiv Chalisa.

Click Here to Read and Download Shiv Chalisa

Significance of Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri or Maha Shivratri holds great
importance as it is the day on which God Shiva was married to Goddess Parvati.
It is the day of celebration of his marriage. It is on this day God Shiva
entered married life leaving his bachelor life.

The festival is equally good for people of
all ages. Methodical worship of God Shiva on this day will absolve you from all
your sins.

There are twelve Shivratris in a year but
this Shivratri which is referred to as Mahashivratri holds special importance.
As it is falling on Tuesday it gets more significant.

What Not to Offer Lord Shiva

You might be doing preparation for
Mahashivratri or Maha Shivratri puja and you might have collected a lot of things
that you think can get blessings of God Shiva. But there are certain things you
shouldn’t offer to God Shiva, otherwise, you won’t get the benefits of
Mahashivratri puja. As per Shiv Purana, there are certain things that shouldn’t
be offered to God Shiva. The list of forbidden things is as follows.

Turmeric or Haldi

As per Hindu scriptures, Shivlinga is related
to masculinity or man element while Haldi is associated with females. So God
Shiva may get angry if you offer Haldi or Turmeric to him. By offering turmeric
to him, you make God Shiva angry and you may not get the desired benefits of
your worship.

Vermilion or Sindoor

Bhagwan Shiva is known as the God of
destruction and death, while women use vermillion or sindoor for the long life
of their husbands. It is why it is not considered good to offer sindoor in Shiv
Puja. Instead, you can offer sandalwood.

Holy Basil or Tulsi Dal

As per Shiv Purana, there was a demon called
Jalandhar who was given the blessing of immortality due to the piousness of his
wife Vrinda and God Vishnu’s kavach. But the demon got atrocious due to which
God Shiva killed him. The demon’s wife Brinda cursed God Shiva saying that no
Holy Basil will be used in his worship.

Pouring Water with Conch or Shankh

The worshippers should know that pouring
water on God Shiva with conch or shankh is not a good practice as it may get
God Shiva angry. As per Shiv Purana, God Shiva killed a demon called
Shankhchuda. It is why the God may get infuriated by offering water with
shankh.

Offering Ketki Flower

The other name of Ketki flower is Keura. In
Sanskrit the flower is named as dhuli pushpika while its English name is
umbrella tree or screw pine. The flower is cursed by God Shiva so it shouldn’t
be used in Maha Shivratri worship.

As per a story in Purana, a dispute erupted
between God Brahma and Vishnu about superiority. To end the dispute, God Shiva
produced a Shiv Linga and asked both the Gods to find its origin, the God with
the right answer to be declared superior.

As the story goes, God Vishnu went upward
while God Brahma went downward. On the way, God Brahma found ketki flower that
was following him. He persuaded the flower to lie in his favor.

As God Shiva was omniscient, he discovered
the lie and cut the mouth of God Brahma telling the lie. He also prohibited
Ketki flower to be part of his worship.

Rashis or zodiac signs for Whom Mahashivratri
2022 is More Beneficial

Although God Shiva is called aughad daani and
fulfills the wishes of everyone worshipping him. But Mahashivratri 2022 is
supposed to be beneficial for these rashis or zodiac signs.

Aries or Mesh Rashi

This Mahashivratri is expected to remain
especially beneficial for Mesh rashi or Aries sign. God Shiva is generous to
this rashi and makes all their work successful. There would be a significant
addition to their wealth. They will be in the pink of their wealth.

Leo or Singh Rashi

God Shiva or Shankar would be generous to
you. There are chances of you starting a new and auspicious work. You have
chances of a journey and making wealth. You will perform well at work and there
are chances to get a foreign opportunity.

Capricornus or Makar Rashi

God Shiva is also generous to people with
Makar Rashi or Capricornus Zodiac sign. The pending works will get completed.
You can get opportunities to travel. You can get unexpected wealth. At the
workplace, you will get the support of your boss.

Disclaimer – This
information is based on popular beliefs and assumptions. To use any such
information, you should consult a specialist.