Happy Maha Shivratri: Quotes, Wishes, Messages, Images, Date, and More

India is a secular country with a large cultural diversity. We celebrate innumerable festivals with great fun and enthusiasm. Indian festivals unite the people of every religious community and bring them together. 

About Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri is one of the most significant festivals of the Hindus. It is held for worshipping Lord Shiva, the God of destruction. On this day, Lord Shiva’s devotees observe fast and stay up all night in order to offer their prayers to God. The word “Mahashivratri” means “the night of Lord Shiva.”  It is believed that Lord Shiva performs his divine dance, popularly known as “Tandav,’’ on this day. It also celebrates conjugal peace and harmony. 

History of Maha Shivratri

There are many stories in the Puranas and folklores regarding the history or the origin of this day. Some people believe that Lord Shiva drank the poison that could’ve destroyed the world on this day. The poison was one of the many gifts that were procured during the Samudra Manthan, done by the Gods and the Demons. Lord Shiva, kept the poison in his throat during the entire process of churning of the ocean. This poison gave the blue colour to His throat, which is why he is also known as Neelkantha Shiva. Thus, it is celebrated to mark the day when Lord Shiva saved the world.

It is also believed that Shivratri is celebrated as an honour to the union of the strongest forces in the universe, Shiva and Shakti, the Goddess that vanquishes evil from the earth. 

There is another story, which goes like this. Once Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma got into a heated argument in order to prove one’s superiority over the other. The other Gods got frightened and sought Lord Shiva’s help. So, Lord Shiva transformed himself into a pillar of fire, which seemed infinite- with no beginning and no end. Both the Gods decided to find the pillar’s limits in order to prove their supremacy over the other. So, Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and flew upwards in order to find the beginning, and Lord Vishnu took His Varaha Avatar (Varaha means a boar) and went downwards to find the lower limit. While Lord Brahma was on his way up, he found a Ketaki flower falling from above. It claimed to have grown on the top of the pillar, so Brahma took this opportunity and thought about claiming to have found the top of the pillar and used the flower as the witness. At this, Lord Shiva got furious because Lord Brahma had lied in order to win. Therefore, he was cursed by Lord Shiva that no one would ever worship him. The Ketaki flower was also punished by not being used as an offering to any God. It was on the 14th day in the month of Phalguna, and Lord Shiva took the form of the Linga and is celebrated as Maha Shivratri. It is believed that Lord Shiva blesses his devotees with happiness, wealth and prosperity. 

Maha Shivratri 2023 Date

• When is Maha Shivratri 2023?

Maha Shivratri for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Saturday, 18 February.

• Maha Shivratri dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026

When is Maha Shivratri celebrated?

It is celebrated on the 13th or 14th day in the month of the new moon, of Krishna Paksha in the Magha month (February-March). This year it was celebrated on 11th March.

Maha Shivratri Quotes

• Here's wishing you good health, wealth, peace, joy and prosperity ahead of Maha Shivratri 2022.
• May Lord Shiva remind you of all the strengths you possess to work harder in life and achieve what you desire. Happy Maha Shivratri to you.
• May you be showered with Lord Shiva's choicest blessings on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri.
• Experience the mystical beauty on the auspicious night of Maha Shivratri and feel Lord Shiva's divine presence. Here's wishing you and your family ahead of Maha Shivratri.
• Shivji, I pray to you for all the people in this world. Please give everyone happiness, peace, and lots of smiles. This is my prayer for today. Om Namah Shivay!!
• May the blessings of Lord Shiva always stay with you and your family. Here's wishing you ahead of Maha Shivratri!
• May the choicest blessings of Lord Shiva bring happiness, peace, good health, wealth, prosperity and harmony to your life. Happy Maha Shivratri.
• Shiv Ji ka vaas ho, Sankton ka naash ho, Har ghar me sukh-shaanti ka vaas ho, OM Namah Shivaya. Happy Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri Wishes

• “Lokaha Samasthah Sukhino Bhavanto” – Oh Lord of the Lords grant peace & prosperity to the entire mankind. Show the correct and right path to each & every human being in this universe. Happy Mahashivratri!
• Maha Shivratri ke is Utsav par Bhagwan Shiv aur maa Shakti is kripa aap sab par bani rahe
• Today is the auspicious day of Lord Shiva. Celebrate it with the joy of heart and help people understand the values of Lord Shiva. Happy Maha Shivratri.
• Om Tryambhakam Yajamahe, Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam | Urvarukamiva Bandhanan, Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat || Om Namah Shivay! Happy Mahashivratri
• May Lord Shiva remind you of all of your strengths and inspire you to work harder in life to achieve your goals. I wish you a happy Maha Shivratri.
• May Lord Shiva is always there to guide you through the good and bad times of your life. Warm greetings on Maha Shivratri to you.
• May Lord Shiva's many blessings bring you happiness, peace, good health, wealth, prosperity, and harmony. Maha Shivratri to you.
• May the divine energies of Lord Shiva be always there to bring positivity to your life. Wishing a blessed and beautiful Maha Shivratri.
• Shivji, I pray to you for all the people in this world. Please give everyone happiness, peace, and lots of smiles. This is my prayer for today. Om Namah Shivay!!
• I wish that this auspicious occasion of Shivratri fill your life with positivity by killing all the darkness and problems that surround you. May chanting of Om Namah Shivaya bless you and your dear ones against all the negativity. Warm wishes to you on Maha Shivratri.
• May Lord Shiva shower blessings on all and give power and strength to everyone facing difficulties in their lives. Maha Shivratri ki bahut bahut shubhkamnayein.
• SHIV ki jyoti se noor milta hai, sabke dil ko surur milta hai, jo bhi jaata hai BHOLE ke dwaar, kuchh na kuchh zarror milta hai. Jai Baba Amarnath! Happy Shivratri to all of you.
• May Lord Shiva shower his benign blessings on you and your family. May happiness and peace surround you with his eternal love and strength. Happy Mahashivratri
• JAI SHIV SHANKAR BHOLENATH!!! Bless us with happy & peaceful life with noble wisdom. May there be peace in every home!!!
• Shivratri ke is pawan parv par safalta ka damru sadaiv aapke oopar bajta rehe. Happy Maha Shivratri!!!
• Shiv ki mahima aparampar! Shivkarte sabka udhar, Unki kripa aap par sada bani rahe, aur bhole shankar aapke jivan me khushi hi khushi bhar de. OM NAMAH SHIVAY
• Let us celebrate Mahashivratri night. The night of the Shiva-Parvati union. The night of destruction and the night of creation. The night of the Lord of lords. Happy Shivaratri!
• Let us offer our prayers to Lord Shiva to celebrate this pious day with our loved ones… Let us chant the mantras and seek his blessings for a joyous and successful life… With all my heart, I wish you a very Happy Maha Shivratri.
• Mahashivratri blessings to you and your family. May the almighty Lord Shiva bless you all with good things and perfect health.
• Bhagwan Bholenath, I pray to you for all the people in this world. Please give everyone happiness, peace, and lots of smiles. This is my prayer for today. Om Namah Shivaaye!!
• We wish you all a very Happy Mahashivratri. May Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati shower their blessings to everyone. May this festival be a purposeful one to everybody.
• Sending warm wishes on the pious occasion of Maha Shivratri. May Lord Shiva shower his blessings on your family and bless you with happiness and glory, prosperity and peace…. Om Namah Shivay.

Maha Shivratri Messages

• On the occasion of Sawan Shivratri, I wish that all your dreams come true and Lord Shiva is always there to bestow you with his love. Happy Shivratri.
• May the celebrations of Maha Shivratri fill into our hearts many new hopes and colors. Warm greetings on Maha Shivratri 2022 to you.
• Let us come together to offer our prayers to Lord Shiva and seek his blessings for a happy life. Wishing a very Happy Maha Shivratri to you.
• Om Namah Shivay! Wishing a blessed and cheerful Shivratri to you my dear. May Lord Shiva is always there with you in this journey called life.
• Warm greetings on the occasion of Shivratri to you. May you are blessed with everlasting happiness and success in life with the blessings of Lord Shiva.
• On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, I extend my warm wishes to you and your loved ones. May this auspicious occasion inspire you to be like Lord Shiva.
• Wishing a very Happy Sawan Shivratri to everyone. May Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are always there to bless you and show you the right path in life.
• As we celebrate the festival of Maha Shivratri, I pray that we always have the love and blessings of Lord Shiva on us. Happy Maha Shivratri to you.

Significance of Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri occurs during February-March and is one of the most important festivals celebrated in India. 

Women fast and pray to Lord Shiva to pray for a happy, peaceful and contended married life. Unmarried women also observe fast for getting a good husband and a happy married life in future. This day also signifies the elimination of sins, greed, evil and all the other negative energies from the lives of people who pray to Lord Shiva with their whole heart and absolute dedication.  

It is a festival that celebrates the defeat of darkness and negativity in life. Anyone who celebrates this festival, and prays to God sincerely, can renounce every sin in their life and lead a righteous life, and finally making a place in the mountains of Kailash and attaining Moksha. It is believed that staying up at night during Shivratri brings about a positive change in our body and changes one’s perception towards life and the world. 

How is Maha Shivratri celebrated?

On this day, the devotees of Lord Shiva are seen gathering in the temples. They wait patiently for their turn to offer their worships. They wait until sunrise and the chanting of Om Namah Shivaay can be heard everywhere. After the traditional rituals, the devotees observe fast, and they worship the Shivling, the popular representation of Lord Shiva. The devotees also bathe the Shivling with different things, and each of them has its own significance. Milk, water, honey, sugarcane syrup, and similar substances are used for bathing the Shivling, and this process is also known as Rudra Abhishek. Fruits and the Datura flower are also necessary for this ritual. 

Maha Shivratri celebration in different parts of the country

• Haridwar, Uttarakhand, had a lot of visitors and devotees who took a holy dip in the Har Ki Pauri. This city is an iconic pilgrimage spot for the Hindus because it is believed that Lord Shiva released Goddess Ganga from His locks in this spot. 
• The Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, is also a popular spot among the devotees of Lord Shiva. They offer their prayers and seek blessings. 
• Jharkhandi Mahadev Temple, Gorakhpur, also has a large number of pilgrim visits during the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
• A large number of pilgrims are also seen waiting outside Kashi Vishwanath Temple, waiting for a darshan of Lord Shiva. 

Maha Shivratri celebration around the World

• Mauritius

The Hindus in the island country assemble around a place called Ganga Talao. The water of this lake is believed to have sprung from the River Ganga, which makes it a holy place for the pilgrims. Every year the devotees start the journey to the Talao by foot, which is deep inside a forest in the district of Savanne. 

The biggest statue of the island is a 108 feet long statue of Lord Shiva, which clearly depicts the dedication of the devotees in Mauritius.

• Nepal

The Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, attracts a large number of saints and devotees from across the country who come to worship and offer their prayers. This year the number of pilgrims was relatively less because of the pandemic. It is a place where Lord Shiva is worshipped with great enthusiasm and glory. 

Several cultural programs are held in the temple, and women pray for a happy and peaceful marriage. 

• Bangladesh

The Hindu population of the country assemble at the Chandranath Dham, Chittagong. They offer their prayers and seek for the blessings of a peaceful, happy and contented life. 

Interesting facts about Maha Shivratri

• The word “Shivratri” means “the night of Lord Shiva.”
• This day celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and Shakti, the two strongest energy.
• This day marks the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
• Devotees stay up all night on this day. This is done in order to give company to Lord Shiva while he drank the poison obtained from the Samudra Manthan. 
• Lord Shiva saved the world from the poison and drank it himself. He kept it in his throat.
• Every Hindu in this world celebrates this festival.
• Some believe that Sadashiv- the God without a form, also makes an appearance on Mahashivratri. 
• Women wish for a good husband and a married life on this occasion.
• 12 Shivratris are celebrated in total in a year. 

Shivratri is one of the most important festivals in India, and we should make sure to conserve our culture for future generations. This festival encourages us to eliminate every negativity from our lives and get rid of sins and greed. So, we can take a moment to probably help the poor and the needy who aren’t as privileged as most of us to celebrate in the same manner. We can promise to make a difference every year on this occasion