KarmaVaaniVrat · Every month
Masik Shivaratri
The monthly night of Shiva, on the Krishna Chaturdashi.
Every month’s Krishna Chaturdashi, the night before the new moon, is a Shivaratri. The one in Phalguna is Maha Shivaratri; the others are kept as monthly observances with fasting and night worship.
Why it is kept
A monthly return to the practice of Maha Shivaratri.
Step by step
How to observe it
Fast through the day
Fruit and milk, or a full fast.
Worship at night
The Shivalinga is bathed and offered bilva leaves, ideally around midnight.
Customs differ between regions, communities and families. Where your family or temple has its own way, follow it.
Fasting
Fasting
A day fast, broken the next morning.
Fasts should suit your health. Children, elders, pregnant women and anyone unwell or on medication should eat, or keep a lighter fast; that is the tradition, not an exception to it.
Traditions
- Night worship of Shiva
- Fasting
Where to go
