The most important day for Shiv Bhakts is arriving, which is Maha Shivratri on the 15th of February 2026. The devotees will perform all Shivratri rituals that are meant to get the divine blessings of Lord Shiva. On this day, Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati got married after the strenuous tap done by Mata Parvati.
Knowing all the साधना and तपस्चार Goddess Parvati did for Lord Shiva, Shiv Ji was pleased and married Mata Parvati. We all know that this is the first love marriage that ever happened in the universe.
In this blog, we will tell you about Shivratri key rituals that are performed on this special day and also everything about the चार पहर पूजा. So, let’s have a look:
Key Rituals Performed On the Day of Shivratri
- The Shivratri Pehar Pooja is conducted in Prahars, known as the Char Pehar Pooja. Each pahar lasts for three hours and each prahar belongs to different phases of the night.
- The fast starts with a purifying bath and then doing fast that falls into three categories, which are Nirjala, Falaha, and Partial.
- People gather at home altars or temples wearing traditional clothes. Some people also wear rudraksha bracelet to intensify the tap or bhakti.
- They also prepare some divine offerings for Shivling.
- At first, they do Shivling ritual bathing and then offer Panchamrit, including milk, water, honey, yogurt, and ghee.
- A diya is then lit, along with keeping flowers in Puja thali and Chandan teeka to do Abhishekam of Shivji.
- While worshipping or doing aarti to Lord Shiva, various Mantras are chanted, like ॐ नमः शिवाय or the मृत्युंजय मंत्र, which is
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्। - Bel leaves are also offered to Shivling in each phase of Chaar Pehar Pooja. It is believed that doing this pooja and keeping fast helps to break the cycle of worldly desires and attachments, taking oneself to higher consciousness.
Now let’s have a look at how Shivratri Pehar Puja is performed on the day of Maha Shivratri:
First Pehar (Evening): It starts after sunset and continues for three hours. The devotees gather in temples or at home temples to offer prayers this time and chant Shiv ji Mantras with devotion.
Second Pehar (Night): This is the phase that starts in the night and marks the peak of spiritual intensity. All the fasters keep on chanting the sacred Shiv ji mantras this time, praying for peace, wisdom, and protection.
Third Pehar (Midnight): In the third phase, the bhakts do the more intense prayers, as it is considered the most auspicious time to feel the presence of Shiv Ji around you.
Fourth Pehar (Early Morning): The fourth pehar is the final phase that is from early morning to dawn. In this pehar, always do thanksgiving for the closure of the blessings you have gotten from Lord Shiva. Express gratitude and commit to spirituality this time.
Significance Of Chaar Pehar Pooja
Spiritual Grace in Life: The Chaar Pehar Pooja is your way to receive divine grace leading to spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Detachment & Liberation: By doing this pooja, one can attain liberation and feel detached from worldly desires. This is the pooja, which is done to get liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
Removal of Sufferings: Observance of this fast and doing Chaar Pehar Pooja can help remove sorrows and grief in your life. It also helps remove obstacles coming in the way of your work or goals.
Inner Fulfillment: Doing Pooja, you will feel fulfilled and grateful for everything you have.
Power of Four: There are 4 stages of human life, which are Brahmacharya (from birth to 25 years), Grihastha (25 to 50 years), Vanaprashtha (50 to 75 years), and Sannyasa (after 75 years). So, this pooja is also centered on honoring these stages of life that facilitate bringing harmony to the body, mind and soul every time.
To Conclude
In the end, we can say that the Char Pehar Puja is not just a tradition to perform on the day of Maha Shivratri, but it is your great opportunity to get connected deeply with Lord Shiva. In addition, by worshipping the four phases of life, you also feel aligned with the cosmic energy of the universe. Hence, all the blockages that come in the way of your कार्य पूर्ति itself get removed.
