Mahashivratri

Disclaimer - This is taken from Various sources

1. Before Maha Shivaratri fasting, it is recommended to have only one meal every day. One of the most common fasting procedures is to ensure that no undigested food remains in the digestive system on the fasting day.

2. On Shivaratri day, one should get up early in the morning and bathe. It is recommended that black sesame seeds be added to the water. The sacred bath on Shivaratri purifies not just the body but also the soul, according to legend. Bathing in the Ganges is ideal if at all possible.

3. After having a bath, devotees should make a Sankalp () to fast for the entire day and then break the fast the next day. Sankalp is a fasting ritual in which worshippers swear self-determination throughout the fasting period and ask Lord Shiva's permission to complete the fast without interruption. Hindu fasts are rigorous, and participants promise self-determination and seek God's blessing before embarking on them.

4. During the fast, devotees should refrain from eating anything. Even water is forbidden in the strictest type of fasting. However, fruits and milk should be consumed during the day, and strict fasting should be observed at night. In other words, fruits and milk can be ingested during the day.

5. Before doing Shiva Puja or visiting the temple, devotees should take a second bath in the evening. If a person is unable to reach the temple, a makeshift Shiva Ling might be constructed to complete Puja rituals. To do Abhishek Puja at home, shape the mud into a Linga and apply Ghee.

6. Shiva Puja is best performed at night. During the night, Shivaratri Puja can be conducted once or four times. The entire night can be divided into four Prahar () in order to perform Shiva Puja four times. If a devotee want to perform a single Puja, they should do so at midnight. Please see Maha Shivaratri Puja Timings for your city's timings for the four Prahars.

7. Abhishek of Shiva Lingam should be conducted with various items, according to Puja Vidhi. Abhishek is performed with milk, rose water, sandalwood paste, yoghurt, honey, Ghee, sugar, and water. Water Abhishek must be performed during the first Prahar, curd Abhishek during the second Prahar, Ghee Abhishek during the third Prahar, and honey Abhishek during the fourth Prahar.
8. Shiva Linga is decked with a garland made of Bilva leaves after the Abhishek rite. Bilva leaves are thought to soothe Lord Shiva.

9. Following that, Chandan or Kumkum is applied to the Shiva Linga, followed by the lighting of a lamp and the offering of Dhupa. The flower of Madar (), also known as Aak (), and Vibhuti, also known as Bhasm, are among the various objects used to beautify Lord Shiva. Vibhuti is sacred ash which is made using dried cow dung.
10. The mantra to chant during the length of the Puja is (Om Namah Shivaya).

10.The following day, after taking a bath, devotees should break the fast. To get the most out of the Vrat, devotees should break their fast between daybreak and Chaturdashi Tithi. Please refer to the Maha Shivaratri website for your city's fast-breaking time.