The most important festival in February - Maha Shivarathri - Timings and the procedure to perform pooja/prayers!
Posted on: 15/Feb/2023 2:39:11 PM
Though there are so many days of penance (`Viratham` or `Vrath`) as per the Hindu calendar/Almanac. The 2 most important days of penance during the year are Vaikunta Ekadasi - observed by the Vaishnavite Cult and Maha Shivarathri – observed by the Saivaite Cult!
Maha Shivarathri is one of the most important sacred occasions observed by the Hindu culture and tradition. This sacred day is observed by praying Lord Siva on this day!
Maha Shivarathri is celebrated every year as per the Hindu Almanac and calendar I in the Hindu calendar month of Palgunon the holy Krishna paksha on chathurdasi!
This year, Maha Shivarathri falls on the 18th of February (the Tamil Calendar month of Masi, 6th Day) Saturday.
The festive occasion of Maha Shivarathri has a SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN THE HINDU TRADITION!
As per the Hindu tradition, `Chathurthi` (the fourth day of the growing Phase of the Moon) is considered to belong to Lord Siva! Out of this, the Chathurthi occurring in the Tamil Calendar month of Masi is celebrated as Maha Shivarathri and it is considered special to perform prayer/Pooja for the Lord Siva on this sacked occasion!
It is especially remarkable that on the occasion of this year`s (2023) Maha Shivarathri, both Pradhosham and Siva Rather occur at the SAM+E TIME!
As the `Pradosha Viratham` falls on a Saturday this year, this is also known as `Sani (Saturn) Pradhosham`!
It is believed that the devotees who observe penance on this day would be bled by the Lord Siva with a male child!
Maha Shivarathri - the time:
The holy Occasion of Maha Shivarathri commences this year (2023) at 8.02 PM on Saturday, 18th February and concludes the next day (Sunday, 19th February) early morning at 04.18 AM.
The ideal time to observe Penance (Viratham) and conclude!
The devotees who commence observing penance on Saturday, 18th February will conclude this on the next day, Sunday, 19th February. The chanting of Maha Shivarathri pranam (Verses/Slogans) can be commenced at 06.59 AM on Sunday, 19th February and can be concluded by 03.20 PM!
