Happy Maha Shivratri 2024: Know the fasting dos and don’ts, what to eat, and more for the auspicious festival

Maha Shivratri 2024 Fasting Rules: Maha Shivratri, literally translating to ‘the Great Night of Shiva,’ is one of the major Hindu festivals, that is observed on the 14th day of Krishna Chaturdashi in the Hindu month of Phalguna (typically falling between February and March), this festival holds immense significance for devotees of Lord Shiva.

As it’s widely celebrated by Hindus across the Indian sub-continent, Maha Shivratri is marked by day and night of fasting, prayers, and meditations, during which devotees worship Lord Shiva and meditate on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.

In the year 2024, Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on March 8th, Friday, here’s all you need to know about the Maha Shivratri fasting dos and don’ts, food recommendations and more to celebrate this auspicious festival.

Maha Shivratri: Types of fast

Mahashivratri fasting in India encompasses three main types observed by devotees seeking blessings from Lord Shiva:

• Nirjala Vrat: This fast involves abstaining from both food and water. It commences at midnight on 8th March and concludes at sunrise on 9th March.
• Phalahara Vrat: Devotees following this fast are permitted to consume water, tea, coconut water, coffee, fruit juice, lassi, and dry fruits, with the condition that none of these items are salty.
• Samapta: This fasting type allows for the consumption of items permitted in the Phalahara fast, along with a single meal that may include sweets like makhana kheer, rice kheer, jaggery kheer, sooji halwa, and other similar dishes.

Maha Shivratri fasting tips: The dos and don’ts

Dos:

• Choose a level of fasting that suits your health and capabilities. There’s no pressure to observe a complete fast if it’s not suitable for you.
• Prepare for the fast by consuming a light meal the day before. This helps ease your body into the change.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Drink plenty of water, coconut water, or herbal teas.
  Break the fast gradually with easily digestible foods. Opt for fruits, nuts, or light vegetarian meals.

Don’ts:

• Force yourself to fast if you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult a doctor before undertaking any form of fasting.
• Consume sugary drinks or processed foods during the fast. These can disrupt your energy levels and hinder your spiritual focus.
• Overeat after breaking the fast. Start with small portions and avoid heavy meals.
• Don’t neglect your well-being. Listen to your body’s signals and break the fast if you feel unwell.

What to eat during the fast:

• Fruits: Apples, bananas, pears, oranges, etc.
• Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, pistachios, etc.
• Sabudana (tapioca pearls): Can be cooked in various ways, like Khichdi (a savoury dish) or kheer (a sweet pudding).
• Falahari chivda: A snack mix made with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.

Maha Shivratri rituals:

• Shiva Puja: This central ritual involves offering prayers and worship to Lord Shiva. Devotees chant mantras like “Om Namah Shivaya,” apply sacred ash (vibhuti) on their foreheads, and offer bel leaves, a sacred plant associated with Shiva.
• Jagran: Staying awake throughout the night signifies dedication and allows for extended devotion. Devotees engage in devotional activities like singing hymns, reciting mantras, or meditating, seeking inner peace and connecting with the divine.
• Abhishekam: This ritual involves bathing the Shiva Lingam, a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva, with sacred offerings like water, milk, honey, and flowers. It signifies purification and seeking blessings for spiritual growth.

Maha Shivratri rituals: The dos and don’ts

Dos:

• Wake up early and take a bath. Cleanliness is considered essential for spiritual practices.
• Visit a Shiva temple if possible. Participating in community prayer and rituals can be deeply enriching.
• Offer puja (worship) to Lord Shiva. This involves presenting offerings like fruits, flowers, and milk while chanting mantras and prayers.
• Engage in devotional activities like chanting, meditation, or reading scriptures. These practices encourage inward reflection and connect you to the divine.

Don’ts:

• Consume any forbidden foods during the fast. This typically includes grains, lentils, onions, garlic, and alcohol.
• Engage in negative thoughts or arguments. Cultivate a spirit of peace, kindness, and forgiveness.
• Overexert yourself physically. Prioritise rest and focus on spiritual practices.
• Distract yourself with unnecessary activities. Use this time for introspection and spiritual growth.

How to break Maha Shivratri fast:

On the 9th of March 2024, devotees are advised to take a sacred bath and conduct rituals by lighting a lamp with clarified butter (desi ghee) in front of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. They should offer homemade sweets such as halwa, kheer, or other sweet fruits, along with bhog prasad consisting of dishes like sabzi, poori, and raita. These offerings are first presented to the deities before devotees partake in the bhog prasad. It is important to refrain from consuming any non-vegetarian food on this auspicious day.

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