Maha Shivratri 2025: As the auspicious day approaches, devotees of Lord Shiva are gearing up to observe Maha Shivratri 2025. A special day for Hindus, Maha Shivratri is celebrated to observe the day when Lord Shiva performed Tandav, his divine cosmic dance that signifies creation and destruction, and also the day when Lord Shiva got married to Parvati. These make Maha Shivratri one of the most powerful days, a day when all cosmic energies are rightly aligned, leading to spiritual awakening for everyone.
But are Shivratri and Maha Shivratri the same thing? For the unversed, even though Lord Shiva is worshipped in both these festivals, they are different things. Let us understand the difference between Shivratri and Mahashivratri.
What is special about Maha Shivratri 2025 or Shivratri?
Both Shivratri and Mahashivratri signify unparalleled devotion towards Lord Shiva and symbolise the various aspects of a cosmic event. Even though they are different, both these festivals bring devotees together who seek to rouse a spiritual awakening.
Is there any difference between Shivratri and Mahashivratri?
Shivratri is more popularly known as Masik Shivratri, signifying that it happens every month. So there are 12 Masik Shivratri that’s celebrated every year. According to Hindu tradition, this Shivratri is celebrated on the 14th day of each lunar month, marking the monthly anniversary of Lord Shiva and Parvati’s wedding. Shivratri falls just before the new moon. Every month on this day, people fast and offer their prayers to Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.
On the other hand, Mahashivratri is the grandest and most spiritually significant festival of Lord Shiva, and is celebrated annually. It takes place in Falgun month of the Hindu calendar, on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha, which is the day when Shiva and Parvati’s wedding took place. Mahadev’s devotees consider this night as extremely auspicious and visit Shiva temples and go on pilgrimages to offer their prayers. Maha Shivratri 2025 falls on February 26.
