11 March 2021 - Shivaratri in Kolkata, we know already. But let me tell the particular time. Nishithkal or Night puja time is between 11:22 pm to 12:10 am on 11-12 March, 2021 (duration 48 mins.). And Shivaratri paran time is 5:48 am to 2:45 pm on 12th March.
Chaturdashi tithi begins 2:39 pm on 11th March and ends 3:02 pm on 12th March.
There are many old temples of Lord Shiva I mentioned here in this blog with pics of those temples with the title "Old Temples Of Lord Shiva In Kolkata". You may search here to view the temples with address and description. Now, I am telling you the religious significance and process of rituals regarding the observance of this Shivaratri puja below.
One day before Shivaratri Vratam, most likely on Trayodashi, devotees should eat only one time. On Shivaratri day, after finishing morning rituals devotees should take Sankalp (संकल्प) to observe full day fast on Shivaratri and to take food next day. During Sankalp devotees pledge for self-determination throughout the fasting period and seek blessing of Lord Shiva to finish the fast without any interference. Hindu fasts are strict and people pledge for self-determination and seek God blessing before starting them to finish them successfully
On Shivaratri day devotees should take second bath in the evening before doing Shiva Puja or visiting temple. Shiva Puja should be done during night and devotees should break the fast next day after taking bath. Devotees should break the fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to get maximum benefit of the Vrat. According to one contradictory opinion devotees should break the fast only when Chaturdashi Tithi gets over. But it is believed that both Shiva Puja and Parana (पारण) i.e. breaking the fast should be done within Chaturdashi Tithi.
Shivaratri puja can be performed one time or four times during the night. The whole night duration can be divided into four to get four Prahar (प्रहर) to perform Shiva Puja four times.
Shivaratri is also spelled as Shivratri, Shivarathri and Sivaratri.
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