Mahashivratri is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. The day before the new moon is known as Shivratri. The darkest night of the year. We have twelve Shivratris that occur in a calendar year, Mahashivratri, the one that occurs in February-March is of the most spiritual significance .This special night marks a remembrance to overcome darkness and ignorance in an individual’s life. The astrological significance of Maha Shivratri is that people will be spiritually experiencing an upsurge of energy on this day, that can deliver moksha from past sins and improve their family situations as the planetary position in universe evokes the spiritual energies very easily. This is a day when nature is pushing one towards one’s spiritual peak.
You must have felt change in behavior of people around you prior to this day, just like we witness the energies of new moon and full moon days. People want to move ahead with either of the energies i.e aggression or docile. Best time to worship Lord Shiva (energy) on this day is after the sunset till the sun rise of next day. There are four Prahar (part) Mahurats after the sun set. Every Prahar will be approximate for three hours ten minutes. And Every Prahar has a its own planetary influence on it.
* First Prahar start after the sunset for three hours and ten minutes. As per the individual location. Example if the sun sets around 18.00 then the the period will go till 21.10. The lord of the first prahar is Moon. As we have seen Moon is worn by shiva on his head. If someone is suffering from mental issues, unbalance emotions, moon dasha or antradasha is running, debilitated moon or weak moon, moon/saturn conjunction, or any issue related to the moon, in their chart. You can chant moon mantra or shiva mantra at home or temple.
* Second Prahar will start around 21.10 – 00.20. Snake is worn by Shiva on his neck it signifies rahu energy so the lord of this prahar is Rahu. Those who are suffering from Pitra dosh, sharpit dosh or any kind of problem related to Rahu also if the dasha of rahu is predominant. Should chant rahu mantra or shiv mantra or mahamrityunjay mantra.
* Third Prahar will be on 00.20- 3.30. The lord of third prahar is Ketu. Any kind of dosha related to ketu ie saturn/ketu conjunction or debilitated ketu or weak ketu in their chart. If you want to clear bad deeds of the past life than it is advised to chant ketu mantra, mahmrityunjay mantra or shiva mantra.
* Fourth Prahar is called Braham Mahurta 3.30 till sunrise. This time is to enhance your good deeds. This is the only time to connect your soul to the universe/ divine/ ultimate reality through meditation. You only have to sit and meditate, the guidance will come automatically. It is also known as hurdle remover Mahurta. This prahar is for everyone, to create good deeds. It will activate your fifth house of the chart. This will not be limited for this Shivratri.
In Indian culture, all the ancient prayers were not about saving yourself, protecting yourself or doing better in life. All the ancient prayers have always been “Oh lord, I pray for the end of this mortal body so that I can become like yourself.” So when we say Shivratri, which is the darkest night of the month, it is an opportunity for one to dissolve their limits , to experience the unbounded source of creation which is the seed in every human being. So Mahashivratri is a special night for receiving new possibilities. It is our wish and blessing that you must not pass this night without knowing at least a moment of the vastness of this emptiness that we call as Shiva. Let this night not just be a night of wakefulness, let this night be a night of awakening for you.