Maha Shivaratri Char Prahar Puja

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated annually in reverence of the Lord Shiva. It is the day Shiva was married to the Goddess Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri festival, or 'Great Night of Shiva', marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha. Of the twelve Shivaratris in the year, the Maha Shivaratri is the most holy. On this day, the planetary positions in the Northern hemisphere act as potent catalysts to help a person raise his or her spiritual energy more easily. The benefits of powerful mantras such as Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra increase greatly on this night.

Shivaratri is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is said that ritualistic worship of Lord Shiva on Shivaratri pleases Lord Shiva. Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

Description: The Puja will consist of Shodash Upchar Puja, Abhishek in all the four prahar during the night, with various Shiva Stotrams and Aarti.

Benefits: For removal of negativities, purify the negative karmas of past lives and give protection in life and bringing peace, prosperity and good health.

This Puja will include:

• 1. For removal of negativities and purification of negative Karmas.
  In the first prahar, the Puja will begin with Sthapana (Ganesh, Shodash Matrika, Kalash and Navgrah), Sankalp, Shodash Upchar Puja of Lord Shiva and Abhishek with milk and water. After the Abhishek, Lord Shiva’s shringar is done with bel patra and flowers, followed by Shiv Panchakshari Stotra, Aarti and Pushpanjali.
• For good health.
  In the second prahar the focus will be more internal with Dhyana of the Sthapit deities. After that the Shodash Upchar Puja of Lord Shiva followed by Abhishek with ghee. After the Abhishek, Lord Shiva’s shringar is done with bel patra and flowers, followed by Rudrashtakam Stotra, Aarti and Pushpanjali. This endows the worshipper with good health.
• For Wealth.
  In the third prahar the focus will be more internal with Dhyana of the Sthapit deities. Then again Shodash Upchar Puja of Lord Shiva and Abhishek with juices of various fruits like bel, sugarcane, pomegranate, apple, mango and chikoo etc. After the Abhishek, Lord Shiva’s shringar is done with bel patra and flowers, followed by Lingashtakam Stotra, Aarti and Pushpanjali. This endows the worshipper with wealth and prosperity.
• For Peace and Wellbeing.
  In the fourth prahar the focus will be more internal with Dhyana of the Sthapit deities. Then again Shodash Upchar Puja of Lord Shiva and Abhishek with coconut water, Ganga jal, Kewda jal, Gulab jal and sugarcane juice. After the Abhishek, Lord Shiva’s shringar is done with bel patra and flowers, Shiv Taandav and Shiv Mahimna Stotra, Aarti and Pushpanjali with Shiv Manas Stotra. This confers peace and harmony and all comforts of life.

Who should perform Maha Shivaratri Puja?

Everyone can perform this Puja.