MahaShiv Ratri 2022: Rituals & Mantras

Fasting is like giving your internal systems (especially the process of digestion) a good rest. Fasting will slow down your body system and help you reconnect with your inner wisdom. Fasting will prepare your mind and body for the higher worship of Shiva.

Fasting on Mahashivratri is a purification ritual. This ritual harmonizes our body, helps us establish control over our senses, and tunes our body to the Shiva tattva present in us.

Fasting on Mahashivratri does not necessarily mean going hungry for the whole day. Especially on Mahashivratri, fasting refers to the 'quality' of the food we take in.

• The food must be light, pure, and sattvic in nature.
• On this day, you may include milk, ghee, yogurt, vegetables, and fruits. You can also include potatoes, honey, ginger, and dates. Potatoes and dates will help you remain grounded while you do your spiritual practices as fasting is just the first step (and very important) of Mahashivratri rituals. You can also include nuts and seeds in your Upavasa meal on this day.

Mantra chanting is among one of the major Shivaratri rituals. Shiva is one but his names and mantras are many. Mantra chanting helps us develop mental powers, improves our concentration, reduces stress, induces a positive attitude, and gives us access to higher spiritual realms.

Before you start chanting your chosen mantra, (if possible) practice Nadi Shodhana or Anulom Vilom Pranayama at least thrice- one round for the Ida Nadi, the second round for the Pingala Nadi, and the third round for the Maha or Sushumna Nadi.

The entire Shiva night is divided into four prahars. Prahar is a measure of time and each prahar is a fixed period of three hours. Together, the four prahars of the Shivratri make up for the twelve hours. Each prahar has its own set of elaborate rituals. However, it may not be possible for all of us to follow these elaborate rituals. But, doing simple rituals can also earn us the constant and divine grace of Lord Shiva.

• Offering these things have special significance on Mahashivratri, but what is more crucial is your concentration, purity, and surrender towards lord Shiva. So while you perform your offering rituals, constantly recite Om Namah Shivay in your heart and mind. It's the incessant chanting and total surrender that is enough to please this Lord of endless power.
• In the very end, light a ghee lamp and perform the aarti.

Above were the things that one must try to offer Shiva linga on the night of Mahashivratri. But there are also things one must be careful to not offer to Mahadev.

• Avoid offering turmeric and vermillion to lord Shiva (on Mahashivratri as well as otherwise).
• Jalandhar was the demon king and Tulsi was his wife. Jalandhar was killed and Tulsi was created by Lord Vishnu. Angry, Tulsi cursed Lord Vishnu that he would turn into a stone. Lord Shiva blessed Tulsi that she will be the Queen of the Trees and will reside in Vaikunth to be with Vishnu. Tulsi later got transformed into the Gandaki River but is not used while worshiping Lord Shiva in any of His rituals.
• Avoid offering broken rice to Lord Shiva.

Mahashivratri has different significance for different people. For some, it's his wedding night while for others- the dark hours of Shivratri mark His ascend into supreme meditation. The significance of Shivratri all depends on how we perceive Lord Shiv and how we wish to worship Him. Methods might vary and 'Bhavas' may vary even more. But, for all those who worship Lord Shiva wholeheartedly- He cures them of their sins and lifts their souls of karmic burdens.