Sawan Shivratri 2024: Food rules and puja rituals to follow during the festival

The holy month of Sawan is going on and during this month, the festvial of Sawan Shivratri is also celebrated. It is celebrated on the Chaturdashi Tithi, during Krishna Paksha and is also called Masik Shivaratri, or Masa Shivaratri. The glory of Sawan month has been described in Sanatan Dharam and it is believed that Mahadev is pleased with the devotees who observe the fast and offer prayer on this day.While fasting, there are a few things to be kept in mind and are there are certain rituals to follow during the fast and celebration. Scroll down to read the details.
Sawan Shivratri date and timing
This year, Sawan Shivratri will be observed on August 2, 2024
Nishita Kaal Puja Time - 12:06 AM to 12:49 AM, Aug 03
Duration - 00 Hours 42 Mins
On 3rd Aug, Shivaratri Parana Time - 05:44 AM to 03:49 PM
Vrat vidhi for Sawan Shivratri
During this festival, devotees eat just once on Trayodashi, the day before Shivaratri Vrat.
After completing their morning rituals on Shivaratri, devotees ingest Sankalp to observe a complete day of fasting on Shivaratri and eat the next day.
On the day of fast, devotees take a second bath in the evening on Shivaratri before doing Shiva Puja or going to a temple.
Then they take bath after performing Shiva Puja next morning and break their fast.

Types of fasting
Those who observe fast, either avoid food and water both, and some people fast and follow a falhar diet (eat fruits and sattvik foods). Some people eat only once at night and that too without salt. Some people eat only at night and that too without salt.
Do’s to follow during the fast
1. On this day, fast honestly and follow the rituals diligently.
2. On this day take a bath, clean the house, and sprinkle Gangajal.
3. Place Lord Shiva’s idol or picture in the northeast direction of the house, offer him Bael Patra, Chandan, Dhatura, Bhaang, and raw cow milk. Follow the pooja rituals and then perform the Aarti.
4. Whatever type of fasting you observe, do not starve yourself. Keep eating nuts and fruits every two hours.
5. On this day while fasting, devotees can eat nuts, fruits, dairy products like milk and butter, and selected flours like Kuttu ka Atta (buckwheat flour), Singhare ka Atta (water chestnut flour) or Rajgira ka Atta (amaranth flour).
Also Read:8 no onion no garlic savoury snacks for Sawan
6. Drink water, milk, buttermilk, and fresh juices throughout the day to keep the body hydrated.
7. Replace table salt with rock salt or sendha namak for cooking recipes during the holy month. Also, while using spices stick to cumin seeds, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, black pepper powder, red chilli powder, and black peppercorns.

Don’ts to follow during the fast
1. During worshiping Lord Shiva, avoid using ketki flowers and turmeric.
2. On this day, the consumption of onion, garlic, and spices should be avoided.
3. Also, other foods and oils like mustard oil, masoor dal, and brinjal should be avoided.
Also Read:8 foods that are avoided in Sawan and why
3. Apart from these, the consumption of meat, egg, alcohol, and tobacco is also strictly prohibited during Sawan.
4. Avoid drinking packaged juices as they may contain added salt and preservatives to enhance the flavour.
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