Masa Shivaratri is the monthly 'night of Shiva', observed on the Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) of the Krishna Paksha each lunar month. Just as Ekadashi recurs for Vishnu and Chaturthi for Ganesha, the Krishna Chaturdashi is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devoted Shiva bhaktas keep this vrat every month, treating each as a preparation and echo of the great annual Maha Shivaratri.

Masa Shivaratri vs Maha Shivaratri

The Maha Shivaratri — the 'great night of Shiva' — is the Masa Shivaratri that falls in Magha (or Phalguna) month, and is the most important of the twelve. While every Krishna Chaturdashi is a Masa Shivaratri, only the Magha one is Maha Shivaratri, celebrated on the grandest scale. Observing the monthly Masa Shivaratris is regarded as a way of maintaining continuous devotion to Shiva through the year.

Rituals of the Night

The observance centres on a fast and a night vigil (jagarana). Devotees perform abhishekam to the Shiva lingam with water, milk, honey, and bilva (bael) leaves, chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' and the Rudram, and stay awake through the four quarters (yamas) of the night in worship. Because the Chaturdashi tithi is judged at nishita (midnight) for Shiva worship, the night — not the daytime — is the heart of the observance.

How to Observe

Keep a fast (nirjala or phalahara according to capacity), visit a Shiva temple or set up a lingam at home, and perform abhishekam with bilva leaves. Reciting the Shiva Panchakshari, Lingashtakam, or Rudram and maintaining the night vigil complete the vrat. Check the Panchangam for the exact Krishna Chaturdashi and the nishita kalam each month so the worship is timed correctly.