Maha Shivratri 2023: Know why Shivratri is celebrated - key Shiva mantras, Vrat Vidhi, and 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Siva

Maha Shivratri 2023: Maha Shivaratri is being celebrated on February 18 across India this year. This is the festival of the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. 

Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha is known as Maha Shivaratri, according to Panchang. 

It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married on this day.

Maha Shivratri 2023: Date and Time

Date - February 18 (Saturday)
Time -
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - 08:02 PM on Feb 18
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends - 04:18 PM on Feb 19
Shivaratri Parana Time - 06:56 AM to 03:24 PM (Feb 19)

Maha Shivratri 2023: Key Shiva Mantras

1. Shiva Moola Mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय॥
Om Namah Shivaya॥

2. Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-Vardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Mamritat॥

3. Rudra Gayatri Mantra
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि
तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi
Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat॥

Also Read: Happy Maha Shivratri 2023: Best Wishes, WhatsApp Messages, Quotes, Status, Images to send your near and dear ones

Maha Shivratri 2023: Vrat Vidhi

According to the Panchang, the day before the Shivaratri Vratam, most likely on the day of Trayodashi, the devotees should eat only once. 

On the day of Shivratri, after finishing the morning rituals/prayers, devotees should take a resolution (Sankalp) to observe a fast for the whole day on Shivratri and to have food the next day.

On the day of Shivratri, devotees should take a second bath in the evening before worshiping Shiva or going to the temple. 

Shiva Puja should be performed during the night and the devotees should break the fast on the next day after taking a bath. 
Shivratri Puja can be performed once or four times at night. The duration of the whole night can be divided into four parts to get the four prayers (Prahars) for worshiping Shiva four times.

Maha Shivratri 2023: 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva

The 12 Jyotirlingas in India are Somnath, Nageshwar, Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar, Vaidyanath, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath, Rameshwaram, and Mallikarjuna.

Maha Shivratri 2023: Images

(Pic Source: Pixabay)