Maha Shivaratri (Bishnoi)
Shiva — observed by some Bishnois though primary devotion is to Vishnu
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Maha Shivaratri — the great night of Shiva, Magha/Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi. Observed by many Bishnois alongside their core Vaishnava calendar: dawn bathe, abhishekam at the nearest Shiva temple, strict phalahari fast, and all-night jagran with Om Namah Shivaya interleaved with Vishno mantra and Shabadvani recitation.
Dates 2026–2027
Mantra
विष्णो विष्णो तू भजे रे प्राणी
Vishno Vishno tu bhaje re prani
O living being, chant Vishnu, chant Vishnu — Jambhoji's mool mantra, recited on Maha Shivaratri (Bishnoi).
How to recite
Maha Shivaratri (Magha/Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi) is the great night of Shiva — observed by some Bishnois even though Guru Jambheshwar's primary teaching emphasized Vishnu-bhakti. Wake before dawn, bathe, and perform sandhya. Visit the nearest Shiva temple for milk-and-water abhishekam of the lingam, with offerings of bel-patra, dhatura, white flowers, and bhasma. Observe a strict phalahari fast through the day. Spend the night in Shiva-jagran — chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' through the four prahars of the night, with intervals of bhajan, Shabadvani recitation (to keep the Bishnoi devotional anchor), and listening to the Shiva Purana. Break the fast at sunrise on the next morning. Bishnois who observe both Vishnu and Shiva often pair Maha Shivaratri with Vishno mantra recitation interleaved with Om Namah Shivaya — honoring both deities.
Benefits
While Guru Jambheshwar himself emphasized Vishnu-bhakti and the 29 niyams, the broader Bishnoi community in Marwar has long honored the inclusive sant tradition that respects all forms of the divine. Maha Shivaratri is one of the year's three most important Shiva festivals; many Bishnoi families observe it alongside their core Vaishnava calendar. The all-night jagran, when paired with Shabadvani recitation, becomes a uniquely Bishnoi observance.
✦ Special Note
Per Drik Panchang. Maha Shivaratri 2026: February 15. Maha Shivaratri 2027: March 6. Some Bishnoi communities observe Maha Shivaratri only lightly, focusing on Vishnu-bhakti instead. Dates per Drik Panchang (drikpanchang.com, Rajasthan/Marwar Purnimanta reckoning); community observance details per the Akhil Bharatiya Bishnoi Mahasabha and Mukam (Muktidham Mukam) Mandir Sansthan calendars.
Foods Allowed
Foods to Avoid
Meal Idea
Sabudana khichdi with peanuts at the start of the night-jagran, then only water and milk through the four prahars; break the fast at sunrise with a small bajra-milk porridge.
🪔 Aarti
Om Jai Shiv Omkara
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा, स्वामी जय शिव ओंकारा । ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, सदाशिव, अर्द्धांगी धारा ॥ एकानन चतुरानन पंचानन राजे । हंसासन गरुड़ासन वृषवाहन साजे ॥ दो भुज चार चतुर्भुज दसभुज अति सोहे । त्रिगुण रूप निरखत त्रिभुवन जन मोहे ॥ अक्षमाला वनमाला मुंडमाला धारी । त्रिपुरारी कंसारी कर माला धारी ॥ श्वेतांबर पीतांबर बाघंबर अंगे । सनकादिक गरुड़ादिक भूतादिक संगे ॥ कर के मध्य कमंडलु चक्र त्रिशूलधारी । सुखकारी दुखहारी जगपालनकारी ॥ ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव जानत अविवेका । प्रणवाक्षर के मध्ये ये तीनों एका ॥ काशी में विराजे विश्वनाथ, नंदी ब्रह्मचारी । नित उठ दर्शन पावत, महिमा अति भारी ॥ त्रिगुणस्वामी जी की आरती, जो कोई नर गावे । कहत शिवानंद स्वामी, मनवांछित फल पावे ॥
Karpur Gauram Karunavataram
कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारम् । सदावसन्तं हृदयारविन्दे भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि ॥
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