Mon Feb 24 03:56:48 UTC 2025: ## Maha Shivratri 2025: Date Announced, Rituals and Fasting Guidelines Released
**NEW DELHI, [Date of Publication]** – Hindus across the globe are preparing for Maha Shivratri, a major festival honoring Lord Shiva, which falls on **Wednesday, February 26, 2025**. This significant religious observance involves a day-long fast and special pujas (worship rituals).
Devotees traditionally decorate Shiva Lingams (symbolic representations of Lord Shiva) with flowers and bael leaves, offering prayers and gifts such as milk, honey, fruits, sweets, and bhaang (a cannabis drink). Many begin the day with an early morning bath before visiting temples to seek blessings. Evening celebrations often include lighting lamps and spending the night at temples, where some locations hold spectacular nighttime processions of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Fasting practices vary. Some devotees observe a complete fast, abstaining from all food and water, while others follow a partial fast, consuming only fruits, milk, and nuts. The fast is typically broken the following day after sunrise with a light, sattvik (pure) meal.
Detailed information on auspicious timings and puja procedures can be found in [link to original article]. This year’s Maha Shivratri promises to be a spiritually significant event for millions of Hindus worldwide.
First Piper 