Maha Shivratri: Dos and don’ts, and food rules to follow on the day of festival

Maha Shivratri: Dos and don’ts, and food rules to follow on the day of festival

Mangalore Today News Network

February 26, 2025: The season of festivals has begun and the most-awaited festival of Maha Shivratri is here. On this day, devotees observe fast and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. This auspicious fetival also involves fasting rituals, where devotees fast to please the deity, offer flowers and foods to the Shivling, perform Abhishekam and pray for the wellbeing of their family and loved ones. This festival holds special significance for married women, as they observe the fast for the long life of their spouse and even observe fast. And in some parts, unmarried women observe fast with a hope to marry the ideal man.

Maha Shivratri Puja timing

Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: 11:08 am on February 26

Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: 8:54 am on February 27

Nishita Kaal puja time: 12:09 am to 12:59 am, February 27

Shivaratri Parana (breaking the fast) Time: 6:48 am to 8:54 am

Ratri First Prahar Puja Time: 6:19 pm to 9:26 pm

Significance of Shivrati

It is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and ignorance. Observed on the 14th night of the lunar month of Phalguna, it marks the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees observe fasting, night-long prayers, and meditation, seeking Shiva’s blessings for spiritual growth, inner  peace, and liberation (moksha). The festival also signifies self-discipline, destruction of negativity, and renewal of life’s purpose. Rituals like abhishekam (holy bath of the Shiva Lingam) with milk, honey, and water, chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya," and offerings of bael leaves and fruits hold deep spiritual importance. It is also believed that on the night when Lord Shiva performs the Tandava, the cosmic dance of creation and destruction, reminding devotees of the cycle of life, death,and rebirth.

Lesser-known facts about Shivratri

Types of fasting

As per experts, there are three types of fast. Take a look:

Nirjala fast: In this type of fasting, devotees do not eat or drink anything.

Phalahara fast: In this, devotees eat fruits and dry fruits and also consume coffee, tea, water, and juices. No salt is allowed during this fast.

Samapta: In this type of fast, devotees eat everything mentioned in pahalahara, along with one full meal that consists of sweets, and no grains are allowed in it.

How to observe fasting on Maha Shivratri

As per experts, this is how one should observe fast on Maha  Shivaratri. On February 25, have dinner and then avoid any meal. On February 26, consume fruits or go on a liquid diet for the entire day. In the evening, have alkaline vegetable soup, and then again, don’t eat anything after that. Also, avoid coffee and tea strictly throughout the day. Later, visit a Shiv temple or pray to the Shivling at home and offer gratitude. Do some food and water donations; it could be to animals too, and then break your fast on Feb 27 with a light meal.

The festival also calls for certain dos and don’ts. Take a look at some of them

Dos

1. On this day, fast honestly and follow the rituals diligently.

2. On this day, take a bath, clean the house, and sprinkle Gangajal.

3. Place Lord Shiva’s idol or picture in the northeast direction of the house and offer him Bael Patra, Chandan, Dhatura, Bhaang, and raw cow milk. Follow the pooja rituals and then perform the aarti.

4. Whatever type of fasting you observe, do not starve yourself. Keep eating nuts and fruits every two hours.

5. On this day, while fasting, devotees can eat nuts, fruits, dairy products like milk and butter, and selected flours like Kuttu ka Atta (buckwheat flour), Singhare ka Atta (water chestnut flour), or Rajgira ka Atta (amaranth flour).

6. Drink water, milk, buttermilk, and fresh juices throughout the day to keep the body hydrated.

7. Replace table salt with rock salt or sendha namak for cooking recipes during the holy month. Also, while using spices, stick to cumin seeds, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, black pepper powder, red chili powder, and black peppercorns.

8. Reading holy books such as Shiv Chalisa is rewarding for fast-observers.

Don’ts

1. During worshiping Lord Shiva, avoid using ketki flowers and turmeric.

2. On this day, the consumption of onions, garlic, and spices should be avoided.

3. Also, other foods and oils like mustard oil, masoor dal, and brinjal should be avoided.

4. Apart from these, the consumption of meat, eggs, alcohol, and tobacco is also strictly prohibited during Sawan.

5. Avoid drinking packaged juices, as they may contain added salt and preservatives to enhance the flavor.

Foods to offer Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri

Panchamrit: It is a holy mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar, used for abhishekam and later consumed as prasad.

Bhang Thandai: It is a traditional cooling drink made with milk, dry fruits, spices, and sometimes bhang, associated with Shiva’s meditative state.

Dry Fruits & Nuts: On this occasion, people also offer almonds, cashews, and raisins to Lord Shiva and are considered sattvic, making them perfect for fasting and offerings.

Sabudana Khichdi: It is light, nutritious fasting dish made with sabudana (tapioca pearls), peanuts, and mild spices, offered and later eaten as vrat food.

Coconut & Coconut Water: Offered as a symbol of purity, coconut water is also used in abhishekam (ritual bathing of the Shiva Lingam).

Coconut Laddoo: It is an easy sweet made with desiccated coconut, mixed with milkmaid and cardamom powder shaped into balls that are offered to Lord Shiva.

Peda: It is a popular milk-based dish made with mawa or khoya cooked on a low flame until it turns brown, and is then mixed with milk powder, cardamom powder, and roasted nuts, which is then shaped into small sweet discs, offered to the God.

Makhana Kheer: It is a simple and easy kheer made with roasted makhana, cooked in milk along with sugar, saffron, and cardamom powder. It is a filling meal that one can consume during the fast.