Mahashivratri falls on Wednesday, February 26, this year. Mahashivratri is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, and observing a fast is an essential part of the celebrations. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to observe a fast on Mahashivratri:
1. Eat satvik food on Trayodashi Tithi, a day before Mahashivratri.
2. Wake up early on Chaturdashi Tithi, i.e., on Mahashivratri. Take a bath and take a vow to fast.
3. Wear clean clothes after finishing daily chores.
4. Apply a tilak of ash on your forehead and wear a Rudraksha garland.
5. Meditate on Lord Shiva and take a vow to fast.
6. Clean the temple or house where you want to worship.
7. If worshiping in a Shiva temple, worship the Shivling in a proper manner and greet Lord Shiva.
8. Take a pledge to observe the Shivratri fast with devotion. Say the verse "Shivratrivrtam Hyetat Karishye'ham Mahaphalam. Nirvighnamastu Se Chaatra Tvatprasadajjagatpate" and offer the flowers, akshat, water, etc to Lord Shiva.
9. Then recite the shloka "Devdev Mahadev Neelkanth Namostu, Kartumichchamyaham Dev Shivratrivrtam Tav. Tav Prasaddevesh Nirvighnen Bhavediti. Kamaash: Shatravo Maa Vai Peedaan Kurvantu Naive Hi". (Meaning: "Salutations to Lord Mahadev, the blue-throated one. I wish to observe the Shivratri fast, O Lord, with your blessings. May my fast be completed without any obstacles, with your blessings. May my desires be fulfilled, and may my enemies not trouble me.")
10. Now, fill a silver vessel with water and perform Jalabhishek on the Shivlinga or Lord Shiva's idol.
11. Recite "Om Namah Shivaya" while bathing the Lord Shiva with Panchamrit and Ganga water.
12. Offer white aak flowers and clean, whole Bilva leaves to the Lord.
13. Apply a tilak on the Shivlinga or Shiva idol using white sandalwood or Gopi Chandan.
14. While offering white aak flowers s, recite the Shiv Stuti or Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
15. Now, offer Bhaang, Dhatura, Nutmeg, fruits, sweets, and itra to Lord Shiva.
16. Offer Kheer as Prasad to Lord Shiva.
17. Now, meditate and praise Lord Bholenath throughout the day.
18. Worship Lord Shiva in a proper manner again in the evening or night.
19. Offer Kheer Prasad to Bholenath at night.
20. Spend the night reciting Shiva Mantra, Shiva Bhajan, Shloka, Stotra, Shiva Chalisa, etc.
