Maha Shivratri 2020 dos and don’ts you must know to celebrate it in the right way

• Maha Shivratri, the holy night is dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva.
  
  
• People celebrate Maha Shivratri by fasting, keeping vigil and doing pujas at homes and temples.
  
  
• Here are the dos and don’ts for Shivratri you must know to celebrate it in the right way.
  

Maha Shivratri is one of the major festivals in Hinduism dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva. Shivratri falls in the month of Phalgun (February – March) on the fourteenth (Chaturdashi) day of the waning phase of moon (Krishna Paksha). This year Shivratri falls on Friday, February 21, 2020. Here are a few dos and don’ts you must know to celebrate Shivratri in the right way and get the blessings of Lord Shiva in abundance.

What you must do on Maha Shivratri

• If possible, observe a vigil on Shivratri. Do not sleep throughout the night and spend the night contemplating on spirituality.
  
• Listen to stories of Lord Shiva, sing songs, chant mantras and meditate.
  
• Visit Shiva temples. In most Shiva temples, a prayer is performed throughout the night. Participate in the nightly prayers.
  
• If possible, you can also perform prayers and pujas at home. Start the puja after sunset on Shivratri and continue to do puja till the sunrise.
  
• Offering Bilva leaves, white colour flowers, water from the Ganges, sacred ash, sandalwood paste, and milk to Shiva. It is considered auspicious.
  
• At the end of Shivratri puja, donate Prasad, food, clothes and other items to the poor and needy.
  

What you must not do on Maha Shivratri

• Unlike some other kinds of festivals, Shivratri is not meant for making merry and feasting. Contemplate on the Lord, visit temples, do Shiv puja at home and spend the time in spiritual activities.
  
• Do not sleep during Shivratri if you are observing a complete fast. Stay vigil throughout the night and sing the divine glories and chant the mantras of the Lord.
  
• Do not kill the time during Shivratri by watching movies or wasting time on gaming. Abstain from any kind of indulgence. Devote the time only to worship the Lord with full focus and devotion.
  
• Never resort to falsehood and quarrels. Do not eat non-vegetarian food. Abstain from alcohol and any other kind of addictive stuff.
  

How to observe Maha Shivratri Vrat?

A Shivratri vrat for those who decide to observe it, involves staying awake the entire night and fasting for 24 hours. This year, the Shivratri Vrat starts on Friday, February 21, 2020 morning and will close after 6 am on Saturday, February 22, 2020. Those observing complete fast should not consume even water during the vrat period. Some take water alone while some others take fruits and milk. At the end of the vrat, Shiva’s Prasad is partaken to conclude the fast. If possible, spend the night by performing puja to Lord Shiva either at home or in a temple.