Greetings, dear viewers! Today, I will tell you about the worship (puja) of Mahashivratri. asper Indian time zone.
Yes, it is true. Today, we will discuss who started this puja for the first time, how it was done, and what fruit that person received from this worship. Let’s learn about the Shivratri puja in detail. I have only one request: please do not scroll through or skip the video; if you are not interested, you may leave now. But if you want to benefit from this, watch the video in full, because by watching it partially, you will not be able to understand anything. Many people perform puja, and there is no lack of faith, devotion, or dedication, yet how many are successful? Today, we will discuss this very topic.
According to the Shiva Purana, in ancient times, a cruel and crooked hunter (Vyadha) lived in a village near Varanasi. His main task was to kill innocent animals and birds of the forest and eat their meat. Once, on the day of Falgun Krishna Trayodashi, he went out for a hunt and wandered very far from home. At evening, to protect himself from wild animals, he tied the animals and birds he had hunted to a branch of a Bel (Bilva) tree and climbed onto another branch to wait for morning.
The hunter was hungry and was shivering with cold due to being drenched in dew. During this time, the Trayodashi Tithi ended and Krishna Chaturdashi began. Long ago, a devotee of Shiva had installed a Shivalinga under that same tree, but after they left, the Shivalinga became obscured and no one noticed it. That night, due to the hunter’s movement, a Bel leaf broke, fell down, and landed directly on that ancient Shivalinga. Along with it, some drops of water from a vessel he was carrying also fell on the Shivalinga. Thus, unknowingly, that hunter offered Bel leaves and water to Mahadev according to the correct rules.
Seeing water and Bel leaves offered on that Shivalinga after years, Mahadev was immensely pleased and ordered his Shivadutas (messengers of Shiva) to protect the hunter. When the hunter died, the Yamadutas (messengers of Yamraj) came to take him to Yamaloka to punish him for his sins. However, the Shivadutas stopped them and told them about the unknowing worship performed by the hunter and Mahadev’s order. The Yamadutas returned empty-handed, and the Shivadutas respectfully took the hunter to Shivaloka. When Mother Parvati heard this story, she praised the hunter’s fortune and ordered the Shivadutas to start the practice of celebrating Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi as ‘Shivratri’ on Earth. Therefore, according to the Shiva Purana, that cruel hunter was the first priest of Shivratri. This also proves that Mahadev is pleased even with a single Bel leaf. In later times, devotees started the special worship method of four Prahars (quarters of the night).
How and When to Celebrate Shivratri This Year?
According to the scholars of the Panchang, on 15 February 2026 (2 Falgun, Sunday), the Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi Tithi is starting after 4:49:04 PM. The night period will begin with sunset at 5:28:14 PM. You can perform the first Prahar puja between 5:30 PM and 7:37 PM. Here are the rules and mantras for the four Prahars in brief:
First Prahar (time) Puja (Rules and Mantras)
First, bathe the Shivalinga with milk. Be sure to perform purification and take a resolution (Sankalp) before the puja. Keep in mind not to speak any words during the puja so that purity is maintained.
- Bathing Mantra:
- Ong Idam Snaniyam Dugdham Namah.
- Hraung Ishanaya Namah Ong. (Recite this mantra mentally 12 times while offering milk.)
- Arghya Mantra:
- “Ong Shivaratri-Vratam-Etattu Puja-Japa-Parayanah.
- Karomi Vidhivad Dattam Grihanarghyam Maheshwara.”
After this, offer 12 Aak flowers (or a garland) and 12 Bel leaves (placed upright) on the Shivalinga, and remember the names of the 12 Jyotirlingas (such as Somnath, Mallikarjun, Mahakal, etc.) while offering water 12 times.
Second Prahar (time) Puja
Perform the bathing of the Shivalinga with water mixed with curd between 9:05 PM and 10:38 PM.
- Bathing Mantra:
- Ong Idam Snaniyam Dadhi Namah.
- Hraung Aghoraya Namah Ong.
- Arghya Mantra: “Shivaya Shantaya Sarvapapaharaya Cha. Shivaratrau Mayadattam Grihanarghyam Prasida Me.”
Third Prahar (time) Puja
Apply ghee to the Shivalinga and perform the bath between 11:47 PM and 1:22 AM.
- Bathing Mantra:
- Ong Idam Snaniyam Ghritam Namah.
- Hraung Vamadevaya Namah Ong.
- Arghya Mantra: “Duhkha-Daridrya-Dagdhasya Dagdhasya Shokasagaraih. Shivaratrau Mayadattam Grihanarghyam Maheshwara.”
Fourth Prahar (time) Puja
Perform the final Prahar puja between 3:31 AM and 5:42 AM. Bathe the Shivalinga by applying honey and offer 12 intact Bel leaves.
- Bathing Mantra:
- Ong Idam Snaniyam Madhune Namah.
- Hraung Sadyojataya Namah Ong.
- Arghya Mantra: “Mayakritani Papani Janmakotishatairapi Cha. Tani Sarvani Me Nashaya Grihanarghyam Maheshwara.”
Parana Mantra (While breaking the fast)
The next morning, after completing the fast, consume food after reciting this mantra:
“Samsara-Klesha-Dagdhasya Vratenanena Shankara. Prasida Sumukho Natha Jnanadrishtiprado Bhava.”
Mahashivratri Puja Materials List:
- Shivalinga (made of clay or stone)
- Gangajal and pure water
- Milk, Curd, Ghee, and Honey (for different Prahars)
- Intact Bel leaves and Aak flowers
- Incense (Dhup), Lamp (Deep), Sandalwood (Chandan), and Naivedya (fruits/sweets)
If you perform puja with full faith in this manner, Mahadev will surely fulfill all your wishes. You can contact the given numbers (7980651708, 9831831442.) for more information. Stay healthy, stay happy.
“Ong Namo Shivaya Namah Ong”
Mahashivratri 2026: Four Prahar Puja Time Table Asper Indian Time Zone.
| Prahar | Start Time | End Time | Main Bathing Material |
| First Prahar | 05:30 PM | 07:37 PM (15 Feb’ 2026) | Milk |
| Second Prahar | 09:05 PM | 10:38 PM (Feb’ 2026) | Curd |
| Third Prahar | 11:47 PM | 01:22 AM (16 Feb 2026) | Ghee |
| Fourth Prahar | 03:31 AM (16 Feb) | 05:42 AM (16 Feb 2026) | Honey |
Important Information:
- Chaturdashi Tithi Starts: 15 February at 04:49 PM.
- Parana (Breaking the Fast): Break the fast after sunrise on 16 February by reciting the Parana mantra.
- Special Note: It is considered auspicious to offer 12 pots of water and intact Bel leaves in each Prahar’s (tim’s) puja.