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Maha Shivaratri — the Great Night of Shiva — is the most important vrat in the Lingayat (Veerashaiva) tradition. Lingayats keep an all-night vigil, worshipping the Ishtalinga (personal Shiva linga worn on the body) through four rounds of abhishek with water, milk, honey, and bilva leaves. Basavanna's Vacanas are recited throughout the night
Dates 2026–2027
Mantra
ಓಂ ನಮಃ ಶಿವಾಯ
Om Namah Shivaya
Om Namah Shivaya — I bow to Lord Shiva, the Supreme consciousness dwelling in all beings
How to recite
Chant 108 times on a rudraksha mala while holding the Ishtalinga. Perform abhishek (water pouring) on the Shivalinga throughout the night — the four prahar (watches of night) are especially sacred.
Benefits
Maha Shivaratri is the most sacred night for all Shaiva traditions. Basavanna taught that Shiva resides within as the Ishtalinga — holding and worshipping it through this night purifies the soul, destroys lifetimes of karma, and brings the devotee closer to Shiva-sharanu (surrender to Shiva).
✦ Special Note
In the Lingayat tradition, the Ishtalinga is worn on the body at all times — it is Shiva himself. On Maha Shivaratri, hold and worship your Ishtalinga with each round of abhishek. Observe nirjala fast (no water) until midnight, or a fruit-only fast if health does not permit. The Panchakshara mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' is the core of all Lingayat worship. Dates per the Kannada Drik Panchang (drikpanchang.com, Karnataka reckoning), cross-checked against astronomical tithi computation.
Foods Allowed
Foods to Avoid
Meal Idea
Sabudana vada with coconut chutney and rock salt, or a plate of seasonal fruits with milk — simple, satvik food eaten after midnight worship when breaking the fast
🪔 Aarti
Om Jai Shiv Omkara
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा, स्वामी जय शिव ओंकारा । ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, सदाशिव, अर्द्धांगी धारा ॥ एकानन चतुरानन पंचानन राजे । हंसासन गरुड़ासन वृषवाहन साजे ॥ दो भुज चार चतुर्भुज दसभुज अति सोहे । त्रिगुण रूप निरखत त्रिभुवन जन मोहे ॥ अक्षमाला वनमाला मुंडमाला धारी । त्रिपुरारी कंसारी कर माला धारी ॥ श्वेतांबर पीतांबर बाघंबर अंगे । सनकादिक गरुड़ादिक भूतादिक संगे ॥ कर के मध्य कमंडलु चक्र त्रिशूलधारी । सुखकारी दुखहारी जगपालनकारी ॥ ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव जानत अविवेका । प्रणवाक्षर के मध्ये ये तीनों एका ॥ काशी में विराजे विश्वनाथ, नंदी ब्रह्मचारी । नित उठ दर्शन पावत, महिमा अति भारी ॥ त्रिगुणस्वामी जी की आरती, जो कोई नर गावे । कहत शिवानंद स्वामी, मनवांछित फल पावे ॥
Karpur Gauram Karunavataram
कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारम् । सदावसन्तं हृदयारविन्दे भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि ॥
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Get a reminder before the next Maha Shivaratri
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